A Football Coach Confronts His Son’s C.T.E. Diagnosis

Football gave the University of Maryland Coach Michael Locksley a scholarship, a family and a career. But it also likely contributed to his son’s C.T.E. diagnosis.

----------
Whether it's reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, New York Times video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. It's all the news that's fit to watch.

[nancyloftus]

One of my sons wanted to play but wasn't big enough and by the time he had grown, he'd lost interest...and I'm forever grateful.

[hendrixaveri]

I wasn’t expecting this man to leave his job or anything but letting your grandsons play contact ball before high school threw me for a loop.

[v.emiltheii-nd.]

No parents should ever bury their sons and daughters. No parents ever!

[alphantom]

I feel like no one is taking CTE seriously

[alihall]

What a tragedy. I’m so sorry for your loss of your beautiful son Mikko. Thank you for being so brave to share this with the world. The mental health component can’t be understated. We can all learn a lot from this story. Thank you for sharing the very private details about your son. This will have an impact for other families that may be going through the same situation. Again, my deepest condolences.

[karenavey]

A major hit in middle school is a concussion! How could they not take this more seriously?

[CoreyANeal]

3:56 I think everyone can relate to this within their lives.

[Cesare]

How do you avoid CTE? Do not play. Before the 2000s we were ignorant of this disease, but now, if you play is your fault. We are not ignorant now. Play at your own risk but dont be lamenting later on. The things humans do or risk for money.

[opalessence]

What amazing, loving parents! I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. Please don’t blame yourselves. You didn’t know.
We used to not know of the harm caused by alcohol and tobacco. Just like these substances, which are illegal to sell to minors, we now know that football endangers the health of minors via traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). When we know better, we do better.
When will tackle football 🏈 for minors be outlawed? Do we stand for protecting our youth or entertainment through sports?

[kevinjacobson]

These parents are incompetent and don't actually seem to give af about their son dying

[DANAMIONLINE]

I would watch an extended version of this

[Rhade]

Wouldn’t participate in a contact sport for all the money in the world

[malekkushimuzik]

The game gives nothing. You got your degree because of grades, not football, homie.

My little cousin was just killed in a football game in Baltimore, two seasons ago. The game is trash and a waste.

[soddyboys]

No sport is worth it… especially high school. 4 years vs the next 60 years. Which one means more?

[faizangopal]

"I'm walking it very truthfully"
No you are not.
You should have stopped coaching football as soon as you found out your son has CTE.
Football is bad. It is bound to give you CTE.

[servingyahuah]

He's admitting that he did it and continues to do it for money. If you're reading this, take your kids OUT of football and put them INTO something that will build up their brain!

[_i_am_unceded]

Screw simulated war competition.
It only teaches us to reward the worst of us.

[constancewalsh]

"Miss my son... 100%" - yet still not enough pain, still engaged in the sport. I too feel for this man and his family,
and the suffering brought by generational trauma and addiction to illusions.

[wkatc]

All the best to them and all those affected with CTE and the surviving family members.

[Hollylivengood]

There are other things you can do for a "way out". He acts like only football can get you to college. You can go to college on music, science, track and field. You can go to college on chess for godsake. There's a little kid in our chess club who wins actual money you want to win at kids chess tournaments, and most of them provide scholarships as a prize. He's literally paid for his college tuition on his own with chess. Why are people sending their sons into a sport that will break their brains?