Anti-Helmet Player Points Out Helmets Don’t Fully Protect Against Concussions

Prominent anti-helmet proponent and former wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, Cole Beasley, caused controversy today after he took to social media to point out helmets don’t fully protect against concussions. The comments come despite Beasley being previously fined $15,000 by the NFL for failing to wear a helmet on field, even with a rash of CTE diagnoses due to concussions having plagued older and retired NFL players.

“Just because some old dude’s brain system is weak, doesn’t mean my brain system isn’t strong and young. I drink water, I sleep right, eat right, this whole debate is so misunderstood. If the geezers want to wear helmets they can.” Cole Beasley wrote in a caption under a meme of a sheep in a football uniform. “Do your research, helmets don’t 100% protect against concussions. I don’t need to be a scientist to know math.”

Beasley went on to note that concussions have a 99.5% survival rate and he would prefer to rely on the natural protection of his thick skull. He also claims that he doesn’t trust the NFL to look out for the best interests of its players. “I’m medically exempt anyways, because I’m kinda claustrophobic,” he added.

Medical professionals were quick to add context to Beasley’s statements. “The IR is filling up with anti-helmeters. Pretty soon there will be no spots left for those with non-preventable injuries,” said Dr. Bennet Omalu, whose work famously brought CTE in football players to the forefront. “We are trying to flatten the curve of traumatic brain injury to an acceptable level.” 

Though Beasley is in a high-risk tackle category as a wide receiver, he continues to promote the idea that helmets should be a choice.  “It should be like our choice to wear a condom,” Beasley said. “Those things aren’t 100% effective against pregnancy, so why bother?”