SAD NEWS: Which NFL CTE cases are the most well-known…
The spotlight is once again on CTE and its dangerous role in the NFL following the release of a recent study and the announcement by the Dolphins’ star quarterback that he is healthy to play.
It’s critical to understand the how and why of a tragedy before it happens. Come along as we examine the heartbreaking tales of some of the most well-known NFL players who have experienced CTE, a degenerative brain disease.
C.T.E.: What is it?
Boxers have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, since the 1920s, according to the C.T.E. Centre at Boston University. But in 2007, the disease gained widespread attention when an article in the New York Times revealed that former player Andre Waters had suffered brain damage from playing football, which resulted in his depression and suicide. Repetitive blows have a direct correlation with degenerative brain disease.
The illness is made even more terrible by the fact that an autopsy is the only way to diagnose it; nevertheless, as we shall see below, symptoms can be seen for years prior to death. Michael Alosco, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Boston University’s Alzheimer’s Disease and CTE Centre, provided a description of the symptoms themselves that we can refer to. Memory issues, trouble multitasking, behavioural issues like aggression, and mood issues like depression frequently get worse over time in people with CTE. Dementia will strike those with CTE if they live to a later age.
How was C.T.E. initially noticed?
Mike Webster, a 50-year-old former American football player, passed away from a heart attack in 2002.
There were tiny red and brown dots all over the brain of the former centre. Tau proteins are the main causes of dementia because they slowly propagate throughout the brain, destroying brain cells as they go. Later, Webster’s autopsy results would be published in a neurosurgery journal, where they were initially known as “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy” (C.T.E.).
Which well-known NFL players have experienced CTE symptoms?
Of the 111 former NFL players who have donated their brains for research, 110 have had a CTE diagnosis to date. We will break down five of the most illustrious players in the league for you from that group:
Hernandez Aaron
Around three in the morning on April 19, 2017, the former New England
Moreover, Hernandez showed all of the classic symptoms of CTE throughout his life, including anxiety, impulsivity, aggression, depressive symptoms, mood swings, and irritability. In addition, he experienced memory loss, migraines, and persistent headaches. In any case, after learning that Hernandez had CTE, his family sued the NFL and the New England Patriots for $20 million. “We were fully aware of the damage that could be inflicted from repetitive impact injuries and failed to disclose, treat, or protect him from the dangers of such damage,” the league and the franchise were alleged in the lawsuit.
Gifford, Frank
Frank Gifford was a versatile player in the 1950s and 1960s for the New York Giants, winning five NFL championships. Despite the fact that Gifford passed away naturally, his family issued a
Some may recall that in November of 1960, Gifford was actually the victim of one of the most infamous hits in NFL history when Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik brutally tackled him. After spending ten days in the hospital, Gifford would wait two years to return to the field. He experienced disorientation and loss of short-term memory. Gifford once remarked, “It’s hard to do,” in reference to his attempts to get the NFL to give players better helmet protection. “You have to teach them the proper way to play from the beginning in high school. And it’s difficult on the officials who have to act as both judge and jury—on the pitch or in the league office.
Ken Stabler
After 27,938 passing yards in the
Stabler, who passed away at the age of 69 from colon cancer, asked for the Boston University CTE Centre to receive a donation of his brain. After a thorough examination, it was determined that he truly had CTE and that the illness had severely damaged the parts of his brain responsible for memory, learning, and emotion regulation. Because Stabler had a good understanding of his condition prior to his death, his case continues to be fascinating. The Concussion Legacy Foundation’s founder, Chris Nowinski, found it intriguing that Stabler foresaw his diagnosis years in advance. “And despite being a football legend, he started actively removing himself from the sport in his
At the age of 44, former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Andre Waters committed suicide in November 2006 by going outside onto his Tampa home’s pool deck while carrying a.32-caliber handgun. After examining Waters’ brain, Bennet Omalu, MD, was cited at the time as saying, “Football killed him.” Omalu would go on to say that Waters’ brain tissue had characteristics similar to an 85-year-old with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. “In a piece that appeared in The New York Times, Omalu stated that Waters would have been completely disabled if he had lived an additional 10 to 15 years.”
Throughout his twelve seasons with the Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals, Waters amassed hundreds of tackles. Waters earned the moniker ‘Dirty Waters’ on the field due to his aggressive tackling technique, which naturally frequently involved using his head. Antoine Russell, Waters’ former high school coach, told the Palm Beach Post, “He used his head a lot.” “I made numerous attempts to stop him when we were in school because I knew our insurance wasn’t too good.” The former great was sadly known to have suffered from severe depression in his later years and ultimately passed away. He was a loving son to his mother, a brother to his teammates, and a generous friend.
Seau Junior
May 2012 marked the time when Oceanside, California,
One of the most vicious linebackers in the NFL, Seau spent 20 seasons in the league with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers. In terms of achievements, his list is long. A 12-time Pro Bowler, a member of the 1990 All-Decade Team, a 10-time All-Pro selection, and a 2015 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Seau was a legendary player. Following his suicide, Seau’s family insisted on having CTE symptoms in his brain investigated. The autopsy report on Seau was published in the journal World Neurosurgery in February 2016. It stated that abnormalities in Seau’s brain were similar to those found in autopsies of people who had been “exposed to repetitive head injuries” and were consistent with CTE. Remarkably, the NFL said in response to the journal’s findings that the
Returning to the present, Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins is unconcerned about CTE.
As you may remember, Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, was put in concussion protocol approximately a year ago, in September 2022, following a vicious hit that resulted in a concussion during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Tagovailoa’s head struck the ground during a game against the Green Bay Packers, and three months later, he was back in the concussion protocol. Calls for the Dolphins’ signal caller to retire ensued, and in fairness, he acknowledged considering ending his career at that point. However, that proved not to be the case, and now that the 25-year-old has led his team’s remarkable
According to him, the response is indeed “yes.” After receiving the all-clear from doctors who wish to remain anonymous, Tagovailoa has stuck to his stance that the concussions he sustained in the previous season do not raise his risk of getting another one in 2023, meaning that the possibility of CTE “wasn’t going to be a problem” for him. In April, Tagovailoa stated, “It’s only when you’re hitting your head against something constantly.” Therefore, I believe that is more geared towards guys who are always on the go, such as linebackers, O-linemen, and D-linemen. It’s crucial to realise that academics and neurologists who specialise in CTE immediately viewed Tagovailoa’s remarks with scepticism. In fact, they think the young quarterback is unaware of the potential health risks he is willingly taking on.
Based on current knowledge, Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit Concussion Legacy Foundation, stated that if someone told him he doesn’t need to worry about CTE, then they are undoubtedly misleading him. In addition, Nowinski and other experts in the field were questioned about a variety of subjects, including the risks Tagovailoa might face, the chance that he will develop CTE, and whether the nature of his work alters the risk. Even though the answers to those questions are still unclear, Tagovailoa’s belief that he is ready to go is a straightforward concept. On Thursday, he declared, “I think I’m far, far ahead.” Since it occurred, the thought has not crossed my mind. At all
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