Former Chicago Bears safety David Duerson, who asked that his brain be studied by leaving a note at the scene of his suicide, indeed had suffered from brain damage that may have led to his sad decision.
On Monday, scientists revealed the former NFL player’s brain tissue showed “moderately advanced” evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a dementia-like brain disease afflicting athletes exposed to repeated brain trauma.
One of the doctors who studied his brain at Boston University School of Medicine Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, said:
“Dave Duerson had classic pathology of CTE and no evidence of any other disease. He had severe involvement of areas that control judgment, inhibition, impulse control, mood and memory.”
Ugh! So sad! Perhaps more so is the fact that 14 out of 15 brains of NFL players studied so far at the same medical facility had suffered from the same disorder.
It’s very scary to hear that this trauma can lead men to inflict injury upon themselves, but the signs of CTE start earlier. Duerson’s ex-wife described her husband as bright and articulate, but as time went on he had trouble forming sentences and even spelling.
Although CTE is becoming more prevalent in athletes, Duerson is the first case to commit suicide specifically so his brain could be studied. Scientists are sending a message to hopefully avoid a tragedy like this again, saying:
“It’s important for people to understand that it does not help our research or our mission of the CSTE to take their own lives because they fear they have this disease. The future will lead to successful treatment of this disease.”
Please do not EVER hurt yourself. Talk to somebody and let them find you help before you resort to taking your own life!
His son, Tregg Duerson, hopes his fathers loss will help others suffering from CTE, saying:
“It is my greatest hope that his death will not be in vain and that through this research his legacy will live on and others won’t have to suffer in this manner.”
We hope this poor mans story will help raise awareness not only in the medical community, but the NFL as well. If a successful football career means an early death, more precautions need to be taken to protect the player’s brains.
[Image via Getty Images.]