![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
This week the New York Times wrote an in-depth expose on the brains of NFL players. The piece follows a study headed by Dr. Anne McKee, a neurologist from the Boston University School of Medicine. During this 9 year initiative, McKee examined the link between playing professional-level sports (later revised to specifically focus on NFL) and CTE.
CTE, short for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative disease of the brain that can only be diagnosed postpartum via direct tissue examination. The disease is usually caused by repetitive mid-traumatic brain injuries-such as concussions or other blows to the head- and causes symptoms such as erratic behavior, progressive dementia, and suicidal ideation. A large number of the brains donated to the studies were from the families of NFL players who believed their loved ones exhibited symptoms of CTE. Because of this, 110 of the 111 NFL players in this study were found to have CTE.
CTE has been found in all players, but there is a correlation in prevalence and certain positions. McKee found that 44 of the 110 brains were those of linemen, the most common players on the field. These players take non-violent blows on almost every play- the perfect recipe that is thought to cause CTE. The next position with the most confirmed cases was running backs (20), followed by defensive backs (17), linebackers (13), quarterbacks (7), wide receivers (5), tight ends (2), and place-kickers and punters each at 1.
“It is no longer debatable whether or not there is a problem in football — there is a problem,” Dr. McKee said.
At Act Global, we believe that it is our responsibility as a synthetic turf manufacturer to continuously dedicate ourselves to research and development of sports injuries prevention. Athletes, no matter the level they play at, deserve a surface that helps keep them safe during moments of impact and that works to protect them when they need it. We believe that the best moments in sports can only occur when athletes have the confidence to perform; our sports field turf helps do just this.
To read more about this study:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/25/sports/football/nfl-cte.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur
To read about our R&D efforts in artificial turf technology.
http://www.actglobal.com/sports-turf.php
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
Since the addition of S5 synthetic turf to Rose Park, the university’s baseball team has played over 150 games at the facility.
The Bruins are a Division 1 baseball team located in Nashville, Tennessee. Since their founding in 1954, the team has grown to excel both on and off the field. In fact, the team was just recognized as part of the 2016-17 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Academic Honor Roll. As one of only 38 Division 1 teams, the Bruins were acknowledged for their combined cumulative GPA of over a 3.0. We at Act Global commend the coaches and athletes for their efforts for success in the classroom.
Their home stadium, Rose Park, is part of Nashville’s historic Edgehill Civil War battleground area and serves as a community facility. The Bruins upgraded their field to feature S5-R synthetic turf in October of 2011. Through excellent coaching (and the confidence that comes with an unparalleled new playing surface), the team went on to win the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship the following season. Since 2011, the team has always placed within the top 9 of their conference.
We congratulate the Belmont Bruins on their ABCA Academic Honor Roll standing, and can’t wait to hear about the many future accomplishments of the team!
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
Just 43 days until the kick off of the 2017 NFL season, and that means it’s time for training camps! Most teams are getting ready to head off tomorrow or Friday, and will spend the next few weeks either at their own training facilities or at a major state college.
The purpose of a training camp is not only to prepare the athletes physically for the upcoming season, but mentally as well. The camp lets team members acclimate to each other, as its one of the first major events for the recently recruited rookies.
Cincinnati Bengals fans, on Saturday, August 5th at 3pm, the team will be hosting a “family day” practice at the Paul Brown Stadium. Not only can you check out the team in action, but you can see the stadium in its full glory. A survey ranked the Cincinnati stadium as one of the nation’s top football venues, and with the UBU Speed S-5 field, it’s in the ranks with the Superdome and the Metrodome. Gates open at noon, practice starts at 3pm, and there will be kid-friendly attractions for the family to enjoy!
Some of the attractions include: Inflatables, Face Painters, Balloon Artists, Photo Booth, Ben-Gal Cheer Zone, Play 60 Zone, and Crafts. The first 2,000 kids to each practice will receive a give-away item. Fans in attendance can enter to win a Bengals Prize Pack by posting their pictures on social media and tagging #LetsRoar.
Bengals fans, be sure to check out this awesome event!
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Gumanhera becomes the first public school in the country to receive an FIH Global Certified Hockey field.
The sports revolution in India is continuing to gather pace and Act Global is proud to be playing an active role in the development of sports infrastructure across the country. Despite hockey being the national sport of New Delhi, access to top quality wet system fields has always been extremely limited. Often, only those who could afford a membership to private clubs or schools would have the right to use these types of fields-until now.
Set in a rural village on the outskirts of Delhi, this public school was the pilot for a new project by the Indian Government to invest in top quality hockey facilities in Government schools around the country. The field is an asset not only to the school, but the community as a whole. Hockey has always been popular in the Gumanhera district, and now the local players can practice on the same surface as found in top clubs in Europe and Asia. The field is reserved for students during school hours, and then opens up to the public in the evenings- aiding in developing the talent of players and athletes to reach new heights.
The installation of Xtreme Turf NFH13 MF-EL12 at the Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Gumanhera, New Delhi is the first major step towards providing world class Hockey fields that are accessible to the many- not the few. This initiative by the Indian Government aligned with Act Global’s commitment to inspire health and happiness across the world. With a dedication to spread the power of play and enhance community spaces, Act Global was excited for the opportunity to craft this pitch for New Delhi.
Field Hockey requires a fast, consistent, non-directional system, and Act Global has delivered such a surface. Manufactured in the Netherlands and installed by Act Global in partnership with Chadha Sports, the pitch is FIH Global certified field and has set a benchmark for future fields. A combination of international and local expertise, with selection of the best raw materials and suppliers, helped make this a superior and affordable field.
Chadha Sports and Act Global are proud to have delivered this pilot project and will continue to be partners to the school for many years to come. We can’t wait to see the athletes that come out of the area.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
We want to start off by saying how proud of our installation team we are. We are so happy to have a group of dedicated and hardworking individuals as part of the Act Global family.
This week’s Field Feature Friday is another update on our Odessa field! The team is making serious strides and is getting ready to inlay the center field logo. The quality of work we demand of our team is no easy feat, but they are exceeding our expectations. Despite the 100 degree Missouri heat, the crew has been working tirelessly to make sure every part of the field looks pristine for the Bulldogs football team.
Our sales rep for the area, Mark West, let us know that the entire group has become extremely close throughout their time in Odessa. They always go out to lunch together and have become regulars at the local diner. The waitresses have the guys’ orders memorized and have said that “they are the most polite group they have served”.
The field will be finished up next week, and we can’t wait to see the final playing surface for the Bulldogs!
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
