vikings/nfl

Due to these discoveries and discussions, whenever I see a hard, spine compressing hit during an NFL game, I now wonder how many years that took off of that guy's life. It is not fair to have kids indoctrinated into the football culture by a bunch of pregnant looking old men who cannot possibly be considered a role model for any sport. It is sad that this Wally guy bragged about his "professional cheap shots." Having to use cheap shots in order to feel like a winner is nothing to brag about. THAT is what he should have told his football playing grandchildren!

our society is the roman empire of the 21st century. athletes are gladiators fighting to the death, it just takes longer. we sit in the audience yelling and getting drunk as they battle. look at our athletes-one of who has to have 24 hour security because he cant be trusted outside the arena. omg...MMA??? it's glorified street fighting. we are a violent, fighting society.

@atlmike - You say we are a "violent society" but I respectfully beg to differ. We are a violent species. A look at the attacks at embassies around the world because of a YouTube video proves that. The first autograph I ever got when I was a kid was Wally's and it hangs in my office today. I believe the game is changing for the better, but we can use the studies mentioned in the article to make it safer, but we cannot use a 60s-70s player's mentality to judge today. We need to judge today as it is, and go forward. And, yes, my son plays high school football just as I did. I trust the advancements.

I watched Wally play when I was just an eight year old boy. He, among other Minnesota Vikings were my hero's, as I didn't have a father. Please, don't take away competitive sports from our future. I truly would not be the man that I am today if it weren't for the Vikings, Twins, etc. God bless you Wally. Your brave heart and hard work taught me to be a man. I miss you.

Many of the NFL players who played with Wally are also suffering with physical and mental injuries sustained from playing football. Mary Hilgenberg shows just as much courage as any NFL player in bringing CTE to the attention of the players, their doctors, and the fans. In donating Wally's brain and spine she and her family are playing an important part in the study of CTE and prevention in future players. All concussions should be treated as a serious injury and the player should be cleared by a doctor before playing again.

My dad died when he was 66 or 67. He never played football. He died of leaukemia. You people need to understand that stuff just happens. Lou Gerighs diesease is what it is. People die from it

In some ways, there is a parallel between the health issues surrounding football and the scandal at Penn State. Families of players, schools, team owners/leagues and the public are somehow willing to overlook obvious and serious issues to preserve the sport. The root causes are the tremendous amount of money and fame that surround the sport of football. The exposure of the scandals of impropriety at Penn State, the exposure of bounties paid to players in the NFL to "take out" key players and the willingness to minimize bad behavior by players are evidence of an out of whack mentality when it comes to winning at all cost. I used to be a huge football fan, but frankly, all of this has turned me off.

Wally Hilgenberg died from having his bell rung too many times. Period. Whether you choose to engage in an activity with this risk is a personal decision, as long as the risk is known. Young kids should be made aware of the risks, same as we warn kids of the risks of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

Two years ago I predicted that due to the concussion issue, football will cease to exist in its present form by 2020 and thus no need to build a stadium. Now I am on the hook for a stadium that will not be needed. If I allow my son to get in a situation that puts him at risk for injury, I could be charged with child endangerment. Why are parents off the hook if there child plays football? There is too much evidence and proof that football permanently affects the body and brain even if you do not ever get an *injury*.

i went duck hunting with wally and roy when i was 13 or 14 . they were the nicest guys you could meet!i will never forget when wally reached one-handed out of the boat and lifted a wet big black lab wiyh a duck in its mouth into the boat !rest in peace wally you made a boys day hunting