Brain damage in former players fuels soccer 'heading' fears (Reuters)

By Ben Hirschler LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have found signs of brain damage that could cause dementia in a handful of former soccer players, fuelling worries about the danger of frequent knocks from heading the ball or colliding with others on the field. The small study was the first of its kind, involving post mortems on six men who died with dementia after long careers playing soccer. It suggests that some professional soccer players might risk the same long-term cognitive problems suffered by boxers and some American football players.