For the first time, an NFL official has acknowledged a link between American football and a degenerative brain disease. Jeff Miller, the NFLs vice-president of health and safety, was speaking at a discussion organised by the US House Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, which debated the link between the sport and brain diseases, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy - commonly known as CTE.CTE is a degenerative condition, which has been described as having Alzheimer-like symptoms, leading to memory loss, increased irritability and mood changes. The answer to that question is certainly yes, Miller said when asked if he thought there was a link.However, he added that at this stage, it is unclear how this would affect the future of American football, also telling the committee that the wider scope of the issue needs to be addressed. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (left) has attended meetings on head trauma in the past Certainly, based on Dr [Ann] McKees research, theres a link, because shes found CTE in a number of retired football players, added Miller.I think the broader point, and the one that your question gets to, is what it necessarily means and where to we go from here with that information.In the lead-up to this years Super Bowl, neurosurgeon Mitch Berger, who heads-up the NFLs sub-committee on long-term brain injury, had said that there was no link between football and CTE that could be established. Junior Seau was found to have suffered from CTE after his death in 2012 Bergers comments were referred to by Illinois representative Jan Schakowsky as peddling a false sense of security, in terms of downplaying the dangers of head trauma in the NFL.What the American public needs now is honesty about the health risks and clearly more research, added Schakowsky.When answering his questions, Miller cited Boston University neuropathologist Dr McKee, and she revealed her own belief that there is no doubt there is a link.I unequivocally think theres a link between playing football and CTE, she said. Tyler Sash was found to have stage two CTE upon his death aged 27 in September Weve seen it in 90 out of 94 NFL players whose brains weve examined, weve found it in 45 out of 55 college players and six out of 26 high school players.It is the first time that the NFL has directly linked playing the game with CTE. It is a disease which can only be detected after death and has been found in players ,including former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau, who committed suicide in 2012 aged 43.While the league has previously acknowledged that head trauma, particularly concussion, poses a risk to the long-term health of players, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and other top officials havent taken definitive public stands on the matter. Also See: NFL Video Rookies guide NFL on Sky Sports Pundits Steven Stamkos Jersey .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Nikita Kucherov Lightning Jersey . As the crowd erupted, Davis knocked the ball off the glass and back into his hands. With 1:14 to go in overtime, Davis sixth block also became his 17th rebound. That, along with his 32 points -- which tied a career high -- proved too much for Denver to overcome, and the Pelicans held on for their third straight victory, 111-107 on Sunday night. http://www.lightninghockeystore.us/Victor-Hedman-Jersey/ . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Vincent Lecavalier Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Ryan McDonagh Lightning Jersey . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. DENVER -- Maikel Franco and Cameron Rupp hit long home runs, rookie Zach Eflin got his second big league win and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Colorado Rockies 10-3 on Sunday in their final game before the All-Star break.The Phillies have won 10 of 13 games. Rupp tied his career high with four RBI, which included a two-run homer that traveled 465 feet, per Statcast, in the seventh inning. Franco followed with a three-run shot in the eighth that went 471 feet.Eflin (2-2) allowed two runss in six innings.dddddddddddd He gave up seven hits, struck out three and walked two in his follow-up to a complete-game win against the Braves on Tuesday. Since allowing nine runs in his debut, Eflin has a 2.20 ERA in five starts.Philadelphia had five consecutive batters reach base and scored three runs with two outs in the third off starter Tyler Chatwood (8-5). ' ' '