This Is The Horrifying Way People Talked About Concussions In 1988

This report intends to give an “update” on the condition of Chicago Bears’ quarterback Jim McMahon after he suffered a concussion in an October 1988 game against the Lions. But this video is evidence of how lightly concussions were viewed during this time.

There are so many things to take away from this video.

1. The main anchor refers to Jim McMahon simply as “having a headache,” with the sports anchor replying, “That’s about the extent of it, though — he’s going to be alright.”

2. Mike Ditka declares, in 1980s Ditka fashion, that Jim McMahon would “practice full speed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and play Sunday against Dallas. He’ll be fine, 100 percent, that question shouldn’t be asked again.”

3. Ditka also mentions that McMahon had “spots in front of his eyes for a while,” but then says “he was fine after that. To which we respond: Uh …

It’s all pretty disturbing considering what we know about concussions now — and more specifically, McMahon’s health. The former quarterback spoke about his early onset dementia and other physical ailments in a January 2015 HBO “Real Sports” segment.

The Super Bowl winner has said that he believes his ongoing health problems were the results of the beatings he took during his career.