Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns isn't going to mince words on a tough topic to discuss. According to the still young man, he is already suffering from CTE.
Artie Burns was one of seven players Sports Illustrated spoke to about CTE concerns. He cut right to the chase when asked some pretty direct questions.
When asked, “If a test to diagnose CTE existed, would you take it?” the 22-year-old said he didn't have to take the test because he knows the results.
“I definitely know I have it. I’m going to (test positive for) CTE. I don’t need a test,” Burns said, who's in his second NFL season. “Is it going to tell me how much I have? We play a physical sport, man. Humans are not made to run into each other.”
For some context, Kirk Cousins, Tahir Whitehead, Ryan Kalil, Chris Long, Dion Jordan, and Michael Bennett were also asked for their thoughts.
Only Jordan said he wouldn't take a CTE test if one were available, though he said he would want to know once he retired. I don't know if that's forceful, purposed denial to avoid walking away too early or just straight fear. Either way, scary stuff.
If CTE testing is perfected to be done on still alive people, and the NFL does actually care about its players, getting the test should be mandated by both the league, player's union, and even the government if need be.
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