Yesterday's college football official signing day brought good news to all across Alabama and elsewhere. It brought with it hope for next year's season and expectations of what kind of excitement and playmaking abilities the new crop of players will bring to the team in the fall.

With such hope also comes the harsh reality of the latest news coming from researchers regarding football related brain damage. A recent report revealed shocking findings where researchers found for the first time, signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in living patients. Five living ex-NFL players were found to have signs of the disease that has been linked to the deaths and suicides of multiple high-profile players over the past few years.

With the increased focus on resulting brain injuries from multiple hits to the head in football, colleges have begun to start narrowing research to focus on the repercussions of impact sports. The National College Players Association ("NCPA") is fully behind this type of research that multiple divisions have gotten behind to fund research. It is just that kind of interest and funding from the college level that helped find the important discovery of identifying CTE in living patients.

While many of the collegiate divisions involved in the research may be backing such discoveries, it appears that the BCS is reluctant to give it the attention it deserves or demands. The BCS did not allow the NCPA to reveal its findings prior to the BCS Championship game in Miami this year and according to the NCPA President, "has tried to actively silence" the research.

Those who experience serious brain injuries as a result of an injury or in sports should consider contacting a personal injury attorney who may be able to help them seek remedies to help with the financial and emotional strains brought on by the injuries and resulting medical expenses. An attorney can be your zealous advocate within the complex legal system that may be making your life even more difficult than the injuries sustained already are.

Source: al.com, "Player advocate: College football must spend research money after CTE found in living players," Jon Solomon, Jan. 25, 2013