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Bay County Advocate Shook Up About Football-Related Brain Damage

WFSU | By Kate Payne
Published January 5, 2016 at 4:48 PM EST
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According to the Mayo Clinic, there is a connection between contact sports and a neurodegenerative disease called CTE.
MITCHELL/ flickr

A Bay County advocate is calling attention to the health risks of football.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there is a connection between contact sports and a neurodegenerative disease called CTE.
Credit MITCHELL/ flickr / https://www.flickr.com/photos/hardchessesandyou/

Mayo Clinic research shows there is a connection between contact sports and traumatic brain injury. Kevin Wood of Panama City is raising awareness about those risks. Wood says football is too dangerous.

“And for players in high school football and such, over a season they could literally receive a couple of hundred subconcussions just in normal play," he said.

Wood is starting a petition to encourage Bay County school officials and the Florida High School Athletic Association to educate parents about sports related brain injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, concussions on the football field can lead to Alzheimer’s like symptoms.

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Kate Payne
As a Tallahassee native, Kate Payne grew up listening to WFSU. She loves being part of a station that had such an impact on her. Kate is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts. With a background in documentary and narrative filmmaking, Kate has a broad range of multimedia experience. When she’s not working, you can find her rock climbing, cooking or hanging out with her cat.
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