The concussion and CTE issues affecting football has been brought to the forefront in recent years, and one broadcaster has seen enough.
ESPN analyst Ed Cunningham, who played collegiately at Washington and for five seasons in the NFL, has resigned from the network due to concerns over the damage inflicted on players on a weekly basis.
"In its current state, there are real dangers; broken limbs, wear, and tear," Cunningham told John Branch of the New York Times. "But the real crux of this is that I just don't think the game is safe for the brain. To me, it's unacceptable."
Cunningham admitted to growing tired of watching players removed from the field due to injury on a regular basis, and that it's changed his viewing experience. Unfortunately for the 48-year-old, the long-term affects of CTE hit close to home through a former teammate.
"I know a lot of people who say: "I just can't cheer for the big hits anymore. I used to go nuts, and now I'm like, I hope he gets up," Cunningham said. "I don't currently think the game is safe for the brain. And, oh, by the way, I've had teammates who have killed themselves. Dave Duerson put a shotgun to his chest so we could study his brain."
Cunningham made it clear he's not in favor of abolishing football, just making some changes to make it safer. Those include a play limit for players, no contact before high school, and changes to football helmets to soften impact.
Whether the future brings any of those changes remains to be seen, but it's clear Cunningham won't be the voice you hear describing the action on a football field any time soon.
