Boston University researchers have released further startling information and statistics on CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
Per CBS Boston, researchers at the university revealed that they discovered CTE in 345 out of 376 players whose brains were studied. CTE is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by repeated trauma to the head, and it can only be diagnosed after death.
Dr. Bennet Omalu is often cited as the first person to discover CTE. In 2002, former Pittsburgh Steelers star center and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Webster passed away at the age of 50, and Omalu later discovered that he had CTE. Webster was the first ex-NFL player that was confirmed to have suffered from CTE.
Over the years, there have been drastic calls for the NFL to find ways to make the game safer. The topic took center stage again throughout the 2022 campaign, largely because Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had three head-related injuries during the season.
Tagovailoa slammed his head on the ground in the Dolphins’ Week 3 home game against the Buffalo Bills. He wound up returning to the game and was cleared to play against the Cincinnati Bengals four days later in Week 4.
In that game, Tagovailoa suffered a concussion and had to be stretchered away. The NFLPA later fired the neurotrauma consultant who cleared Tagovailoa to play on a short week.
Several players who were diagnosed with CTE after their deaths were reported to have experienced symptoms such as mood wings, violent outbursts, memory loss, depression and anxiety.
