Chronic Traumatic Encephalitis
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Have you heard the story of Dave Duerson? He was a pro football player and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award Winner who took his own life earlier this year. His story is remarkably similar to Eagles great Andre Waters and many more.
In Duerson's case, his family members describe a decline over the years with personality changes and ultimately a decline into depression and aggressive behavior.
An autopsy was performed on the former NFL great and a study of his brain revealed chronic traumatic encephalitis or CTE.
Get to know that term because it is a condition resulting from too many concussions. Duerson's brain had shrunk over the years and CTE caused both Duerson and his family intense pain -- far more than on the football field.
This fall we may or may not have pro football to amuse us because the powers that be are fighting over the way to split 9 billion dollars -- it is my hope that Dave Duerson's story is not forgotten but brought up as a key point in the discussions.
Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor
