I think people tend to forget that these guys are kids when they start. From all walks of life. It starts as a game and very quickly reforms itself into a budding career as a teenager until all of a sudden they are playing a dangerous game and making millions of dollars. Yes they choose to do it, but, like all sports, it's their life. They don't know any different and mentally, they are largely a collection of teenagers all the way into their mid-30's. There's not much time to think about what it may be doing to their body, it's not really their prime concern as young men who think themselves invincible (we're all like that).
Now they play a few years, make some good bank, and can't get out of bed in the morning, can't play with his kids, can't go outside without sunglasses, can't enjoy anything, can't remember anything, are unrecognizable to their families etc..
Where is there time to stop and think about what it might be costing them?
This is a sports health issue, not just the NHL, but it needs to start being a part of the conversation from top to bottom and the NHL should be spearheading it, not ignoring it*.
*Not that they are, I think they've taken great strides recently, but but the comments are applicable to the past.
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