That's the thing DrDiags, with some people we don't know when it started or what caused it. Especially with those that do drugs or drink. I'm guilty of passing out at the wheel and hitting a telephone pole, wrecking a snowmachine and motorcycle and being in multiple collisions playing other sports. And young men are really bad about being careless with their bodies, they think their bulletproof (I know I used to) and are always trying to outdo each other as we see on Youtube all the time. "Let's jump off the roof" or "Ride our skateboards down a long stairway railing."
Hopefully they will be able to come up with ways to mitigate the damage. One thing is for sure, some of the money coming out of the lawsuit settlement is going to studies and that will help all people in all walks of life who get concussions because this isn't just an NFL issue. CTE effects a lot of people from different walks of life such as our soldiers. All the focus is on the NFL because it's such a popular sport and because they have deep pockets, but make no mistake, CTE is present in many walks of life, so the benefits should extend to them also.