The game of soccer has a dark side, and Judith Gates knows it firsthand. Her husband, Bill, a former professional player, slowly succumbed to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a devastating brain disease linked to repeated head impacts.
Imagine watching the love of your life change, their personality and memories slipping away. This was Judith’s heartbreaking reality.
But instead of despair, she found purpose.
Judith is now on a mission to protect future players from the same fate. She’s raising awareness about CTE, particularly the dangers of headers in soccer. It’s not just the big concussions that cause damage, but the constant, seemingly minor head-to-ball contact during practices and games.
The impact of CTE is not just physical; it’s emotional too.
Families are torn apart, and lives are irrevocably altered. Judith’s story is a poignant reminder of the hidden cost of our beloved sports.
Jessica Reyes, Patricia Wu, and Meaghan Arnold discuss how you can prevent CTE through research, education, and changes to the way we play. Judith’s tireless advocacy is a testament to the power of love and the determination to make a difference.
Join the fight with Judith.
We can all join Judith’s fight. Judith founded Head For Change and Head Safe Football to advocate for player safety and to raise awareness about the dangers of repeated head injuries. Let’s support her efforts to protect the athletes we admire. Together, we can make sports safer and prevent more families from experiencing the heartbreak of CTE.
