The Ethical Dilemma of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Football: A Four Paradigm Examination

Abstract

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has emerged in the public consciousness as a major public health challenge for athletics in all levels of competition. Football receives the greatest level of attention given its visibility in American culture. For many community colleges, football plays a central role is promoting institutional objectives and enhancing the student collegiate experience. In this paper, the authors discuss the ethical implications of continuing football in context of the increasing research linking football and CTE, which include the ethics of justice, critique, care, and profession. The authors stress the need for community colleges to determine the future of football at their institutions by critically examining how and if this sport meets their goals, needs, and ethical obligations.