Colt Brennan, whose death last May shocked the college football world, was found to have stage 1 CTE in a post-mortem examination, his family revealed via Sports Illustrated.
The record-setting Hawaii quarterback’s body was reportedly examined by the CTE Center at Boston University. There was enough evidence to confirm CTE. It should also be noted that Brennan also suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2010 car crash which doctors also say impaired his ability to make decisions, process emotions and shut down destructive impulses.
According to his father, Brennan was in his fifth month at a rehabilitation facility in California when he was found unconscious.
Brennan was 37 years old when he died from a combination of drugs that included fentanyl, methamphetamine, amphetamine and ethanol.
The University of Hawaii released a statement on Brennan at the time of his passing.
“It’s hard to put into words the impact that Colt Brennan had on Rainbow Warrior fans and the people of Hawai’i,” the university said in a statement. “He was a phenomenal player and provided us some of the greatest sports memories we’ll ever have. But he was more than that. For all that he accomplished on the football field and the adulation he received for it, he always remained among the people.
He never turned down an autograph, he never turned down a picture with someone. He inspired everyone, from our keiki to our kupuna. He had a Warrior mentality on the field but a true aloha spirit off of it. Today is an extremely tough day. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Brennan ‘ohana and we mourn together with all those across Hawai’i and Rainbow Warrior nation who were touched by Colt.”
Brennan ranks fourth all-time with 131 career touchdown passes and sixth with his 1,493 passing yards.
