One of the best NFL players and fiercest for nearly two decades, Junior Seau, has a degenerative brain disorder, it is unknown when he committed suicide last May, the National Institutes of Health told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The results of the NIH study revealed that the brain Junior Seau had abnormalities consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The results of the NIH study revealed that the brain Junior Seau had abnormalities consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Dr. Russell Lonser independent supervisor brain research, "said." We have a chance to get some experts involved in a way they would not be able to directly identify the network even if they know he is one man who became our research. "
NIH, based in Bethesda, Md., conducted a study of three unidentified brain, one of which is that Seau. It said the findings of the autopsy Seau similar to people "with exposure to repetitive head injuries."
Seau families requested the analysis of brain disease suffered by the Junior Seau.
Seau is the star quarterback for 20 NFL seasons with San Diego, Miami and New England before retiring in 2009. He died of wounds inflicted by guns themselves.
NIH, based in Bethesda, Md., conducted a study of three unidentified brain, one of which is that Seau. It said the findings of the autopsy Seau similar to people "with exposure to repetitive head injuries."
Seau families requested the analysis of brain disease suffered by the Junior Seau.
Seau is the star quarterback for 20 NFL seasons with San Diego, Miami and New England before retiring in 2009. He died of wounds inflicted by guns themselves.
He joins a list of several dozen football players who had CTE.
Boston University's center for study of the disease reported last month
that 34 former pro players and nine who played only college football
suffered from CTE.
"I was not surprised after learning a little about CTE that he had
it," Seau's 23-year-old son Tyler said. "He did play so many years at
that level. I was more just kind of angry I didn't do something more and
have the awareness to help him more, and now it is too late.
"I don't think any of us were aware of the side effects that could
be going on with head trauma until he passed away. We didn't know his
behavior was from head trauma."
That behavior, according to Tyler Seau and Junior's ex-wife Gina,
included wild mood swings, irrationality, forgetfulness, insomnia and
depression.
"He emotionally detached himself and would kind of 'go away' for a
little bit," Tyler Seau said. "And then the depression and things like
that. It started to progressively get worse."
He hid it well in public, they said. But not when he was with family or close friends.
The NFL faces lawsuits by thousands of former players who say the
league withheld information on the harmful effects concussions can have
on their health.
"We appreciate the Seau family's cooperation with the National
Institutes of Health," the league said in an email statement to the AP.
"The finding underscores the recognized need for additional research to
accelerate a fuller understanding of CTE.
"The NFL, both directly and in partnership with the NIH, Centers for
Disease Control and other leading organizations, is committed to
supporting a wide range of independent medical and scientific research
that will both address CTE and promote the long-term health and safety
of athletes at all levels."NFL teams have given a $30 million research grant to the NIH.
Seau is not the first former NFL player who killed himself, then was
found to have CTE. Dave Duerson and Ray Easterling are others.Duerson, a former Chicago Bears defensive back, left a note asking
for his brain to be studied for signs of trauma before shooting himself.
His family filed a wrongful death suit against the NFL, claiming the
league didn't do enough to prevent or treat the concussions that
severely damaged his brain.
Easterling played safety for the Falcons in the 1970s. After his
career, he suffered from dementia, depression and insomnia, according to
his wife, Mary Ann. He committed suicide last April.
Mary Ann Easterling is among the plaintiffs who have sued the NFL. "It was important to us to get to the bottom of this, the truth,"
Gina Seau said, "and now that it has been conclusively determined from
every expert that he had obviously had it, CTE, we just hope it is taken
more seriously.
"You can't deny it exists, and it is hard to deny there is a link
between head trauma and CTE. There's such strong evidence correlating
head trauma and collisions and CTE."
Tyler Seau played football through high school and for two years in college. He says he has no symptoms of any brain trauma. Gina Seau's son Jake, now a high school junior, played football for
two seasons, but has switched to lacrosse and has been recruited to play
at Duke."Lacrosse is really his sport and what he is passionate about," she
said. "He is a good football player and probably could continue. But
especially now watching what his dad went through, he says, 'Why would I
risk lacrosse for football?'
"I didn't have to have a discussion with him after we saw what Junior went through."he said, but I can only say that Junior Seau is the best NFL players of all time
Source : Sporting News NFL
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