Former footballer Peter Houtman announced over a week ago that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This news immediately raised concerns about his history of heading the ball, a skill he excelled at during his time with clubs like Feyenoord and FC Groningen.
The players’ union VVCS recently expressed support for banning heading in football. Harris Huizingh, a former professional footballer and heading specialist, understands the concern but believes a ban is excessive.
He reflected on his own career, during which he suffered frequent concussions and injuries related to heading. Huizingh noted that although advances in ball quality have been made, heading remains a health risk.
He now questions whether his own forgetfulness is age-related or a result of heading. Huizingh pays close attention to studies on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head injuries.
In light of Houtman’s diagnosis, VVCS chairman Evgeniy Levchenko reiterated the union’s stance that heading should be removed from the sport. Huizingh, however, still sees heading as an integral part of football and suggests exploring safer materials instead.
Source: NOS