NFL Players Promise to Donate Brains to Concussion Research

Three professional football players from the National Football League (NFL) announced Monday that they will donate their brains and spinal cord tissue in aid of studies concerning sports-related brain injuries.

Center Matt Birk of the Baltimore Ravens, linebacker Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks and receiver Sean Morey of the Arizona Cardinals signed up in the brain donation registry of the Boston University medical school. "One of the most profound actions I can take personally is to donate my brain to help ensure the safety and welfare of active, retired, and future athletes for decades to come," Morey said in an interview with Fox News. The trauma brought about by sports-related brain concussions could be lethal and is a growing concern for doctors. In the past NFL seasons, Morey and Tatapu were listed in reports with injuries described as concussions. To date, no active athlete has pledge to donate their brain except for the three. Still, about 150 former athletes, including 40 retired NFL players, had announced to donate their brains after death.