This hour: the National Football League.
Just hearing those words once beckoned vivid mental images -- scenes of athletes entertaining millions with their heroic throws and jaw-clenching tackles.
In recent years, however, the NFL's image has darkened -- clouded by concerns surrounding athlete behavior and a brain disease known as CTE.
So what lies head for American football? Coming up, we take a closer look and we also hear from you.
GUESTS:
- Lisa McHale - Director of Family Relations at the Concussion Legacy Foundation and wife of former NFL athlete Tom McHale
- Dr. David Wang - Director of Sports Medicine at Quinnipiac University and Clinical Director of Elite Sports Medicine at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center; he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC)
- Harry Bellucci - Hartford Public Schools coach and chairman of Connecticut’s football coaches committee
- Dr. Keith Penney - Orthopedic surgeon at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Connecticut; he’s also a football team physician and father of three sons
- Katherine Snedaker, LCSW - Executive Director of PINK Concussions and mother of three sons
Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
Chion Wolf and Evan Sobol contributed to this show, which originally aired on December 8, 2017.