I have thought about sending this letter many times over the last 11 years. My reasons for doing so now are the recent injury to the Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin and an interview with one of my all-time favorite New York Football Giants players, Harry Carson.

During Carson’s interview he spoke about the serious injuries that can result from playing football, one of which is CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, which is caused by concussions.

I thought telling people of my experience may be helpful to them when determining whether or not their children or grandchildren should play football. At the age of 60 I had a grand mal seizure. A brain scan revealed an area of my brain had sustained damaged. The neurologist asked me how many concussions I had had. Six, as far as I knew.

She said that those concussions caused brain damage, and that the damaged spot was like a button that says “seizure” on it. Many things can push that button. So, I have been and will continue to be on seizure medication.

People say to me that the sport is much safer now than it was when I played, and I am sure that it is. But like Harry Carson said, a helmet can’t stop that brain from banging around inside of your skull.

I am proof that you do not have to play professional or even college football to suffer from CTE. I played Pop Warner football and high school football only.

Carson was asked how he felt about his children and his grandchildren playing football, and he said of course it was beyond his control, but that he would not recommend it.

I would echo those sentiments. However, I continue to love the sport, but it must be understood that it is a violent sport at any level.

Stanley Short

Pittsfield