The coroner’s report for former professional footballer Gordon McQueen indicates that repeated head impacts, specifically from heading the ball during play, were highly likely to have contributed to the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder linked to repeated cranial trauma. The findings highlight that the cumulative force of many heading incidents over a career can accelerate the onset of neurological symptoms that ultimately led to the athlete’s death. bCTE is characterised by symptoms such as memory loss, mood disturbances and motor difficulties that can manifest long after retirement from sport./b _2_ The case of Gordon McQueen underscores the long‑term risks associated with the traditional football technique of heading. Research in sports science has documented that every time a player makes contact with a heading‑prone ball, a rapid transfer of kinetic energy occurs from the lower limb to the head, creating localized brain tissue displacement. When these impacts transpire repeatedly—thousands of times across a career—they can initiate a cascade of biochemical changes, including the accumulation of tau protein, that compromise neuronal integrity. Dr. Susan Jones, a neurotrauma specialist quoted in the report, notes that “the threshold for harm appears lower when impacts are sustained over time,” reinforcing the link between a prolific heading record and the resulting brain pathology observed in McQueen’s case. _3_ This evidence carries implications for both current players and governing bodies in the sport. With the confirmed association between heading frequency and CTE risk, there is growing momentum for policy reforms, such as limiting heading in youth training, implementing stricter injury protocols, and encouraging protective equipment research. Concurrently, medical professionals advise former athletes to undergo regular neurological assessments and adopt lifestyle strategies that mitigate neurodegenerative decline. As the full extent of heading’s effects on brain health becomes clearer, stakeholders will need to balance the cultural relevance of the skill against evolving safety standards in order to safeguard the long‑term well‑being of football participants.