And More Reason We Need To Take This Seriously Enough To Stop The Games...

In the furor over Ray Rice, I am reminded that, often, domestic violence can be tied to the likes of CTE in many of these athletes.

I say this in light of two stories (one football, one professional wrestling) which have come to light over the last 48 hours:

First, Arizona Cardinals lineman John Abraham has left the team.

Why?

He has suffered a concussion during the Monday Night Football win over San Diego.

That, in and of itself, probably wouldn't result in this action, though.

Deadspin reports the Rest of the Story.

Adam Schefter reports that Abraham has been suffering severe memory loss for over a year now, and may finally have had enough.

Second, we've lost another professional wrestler far too early.

Prominently WCW wrestler Sean O'Haire is dead at 43.  Suicide.

After his retirement, he was prosecuted for choking out his girlfriend in 2009.  There was also a second post-wrestling incident with women as well.

Why do I mention these?

One of the main reasons I believe a full accounting of domestic violence and violence toward women by football players ends the sport at all levels -- C T E.

It is unknown (and far too early) to assert whether Christopher Nowitski, a former wrestler (who was an opponent for O'Haire during his three-year WWE stint after WCW folded) who studies brains with damage for signs of CTE, will be able to gain access to O'Haire's.

It is hoped he does.

But it is becoming clear that we are seeing more and more head injuries as the time goes on, and one of the telling signs during life that CTE might be found after death is the fact that people (like O'Haire) without previous criminal histories start getting violent toward women and get caught.

Don't believe me?

Ask the family of Nancy Benoit.