BRIAN E. MOORE, MD: Recent neuropathological autopsy findings of a 26-year-old NFL player lend further credence to the idea that perhaps our high school children should not be playing football.
Former Cincinnati Bengals player Chris Henry, who died after falling from a moving pick-up truck during a fight with his fiancée, was found to have histomorphologic evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
This can be seen in a tau-immunohistochemistry photomicrograph from Henry's brain. The findings consist of neurofibrillary tangles similar to those seen in Alzheimer disease. 
This CNN.com article -- "Young player had brain damage more often seen in NFL veterans"-- raises the question in my mind of whether school districts should offer genetic testing to potential players, as one's apolipoprotein E genetic status seems to indicate the likelihood that one might be more susceptible to the development of CTE.
In any case, I intend to forbid my own son from playing football and from boxing. Any other sport is fair game. But I will not allow him to participate in a sport where head injury is intrinsic not only to playing the game, but even participating in practices.
This is not to say that I'm some kind of a pansy who is averse to any risk. I will allow my child to play any other sport, as head injury in other sports occur merely as accidents. But football and boxing will remain off-limits in my home.
Brian E. Moore, MD is a board-certified neuropathologist with Pathology Associates of Central Illinois and assistant professor of pathology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
Right Photo: A tau-immunohistochemistry photomicrograph of Henry's brain.
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ON THE NET:
NEW YORK TIMES: Former Bengal Henry Found to have had brain damage
ESPN: Researchers find brain trauma in Henry
MORE INFORMATION:
BOSTON UNIVERSITY: Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy
UNIVERITY OF OKLAHOMA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE: Neurofibrillary Tangles
U.S. NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE: Apolipoprotein E
