BOSTON (AP) — Former NFL Pro Bowl large receiver Demaryius Thomas is the most recent in a rising listing of soccer gamers recognized with CTE.
His household stated Tuesday that researchers discovered that Thomas, who died in December at age 33, suffered from persistent traumatic encephalopathy. The four-time Pro Bowl large receiver was coping with despair, nervousness and different CTE signs on the time of his dying.
CTE, a degenerative mind illness which might solely be recognized posthumously, has been discovered in additional than 100 former NFL gamers in addition to semi-pro and highschool soccer gamers. Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau had CTE when he died in 2012 of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Hall of Famers Ken Stabler, Frank Gifford and Mike Webster additionally have been recognized with CTE.
Boston University CTE Center researchers found that Thomas was at stage 2 following a mind research via the Concussion Legacy Foundation. Thomas’ household launched the findings of the research.
“Once I became aware of CTE and began to familiarize myself with the symptoms, I noticed that Demaryius was isolating himself and I saw other changes in him,” Katina Smith, Demaryius’ mom, stated in an announcement. “He was just so young, and it was horrible to see him struggle. His father and I hope all families learn the risks of playing football. We don’t want other parents to have to lose their children like we did.”
Stage 2 CTE is related to “progressive behavior, cognitive and mood abnormalities.” Family members say Thomas developed despair, nervousness, panic assaults, and bother along with his reminiscence within the years earlier than his dying. Stage 4 is probably the most extreme stage of CTE and is often related to dementia.
“Like so many that have gone before, we found stage 2 CTE in the brain of Demaryius Thomas. The question I keep asking myself is ‘When will enough be enough?’ When will athletes, parents and the public at large stop ignoring the risks of American football and insist that the game be changed to reduce subconcussive hits?” stated Dr. Ann McKee, chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System and director of the BU CTE Center and VA-BU-CLF/UNITE Brain Bank.
CLF co-founder and CEO Dr. Chris Nowinski organized the research via Thomas’ household.
“The football community would have no idea why so many former players struggle with neurological disorders after their career without the families who say yes to brain donation, so I want to thank Bobby Thomas and Katina Smith — and all families — for their trust in Dr. McKee and this team,” stated Nowinski, a former soccer participant at Harvard. “I hope this is a wake-up call to high profile current and former NFL players that CTE is rampant among them, and they need to get involved in creating real solutions. CTE should be their number one off-the-field issue.”
Thomas is one in every of greater than 300 former NFL gamers who’ve been recognized with CTE by McKee and the BU CTE Center analysis staff.
Thomas’ explanation for dying has not but been recognized. In 2021, Thomas started experiencing seizures. McKee advised ABC News she believes the seizures have been because of extreme traumatic accidents off the soccer subject, together with a automobile wreck and a fall on stone stairs.
“CTE itself does not cause death. You don’t die from CTE. What CTE does is it changes your behavior and your personality,” McKee stated.
Thomas performed 10 seasons within the NFL for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Houston Texans. He gained a Super Bowl with the Broncos and Peyton Manning following the 2015 season.
Thomas had 724 catches for 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com