CTE Biochemical Markers and Their Implications on Professional Sports: Part 2

In one of my earlier blogs, I spoke about the future implications of CTE (chronic truamatic encephalopathy) on professional sports. One of the most notable cases of brain damage involving a professional athlete  is that of Aaron Hernandez. Aaron Hernandez was a former tight end for Florida (where he was an All-American) in college and the New England Patriots, where he played 3 seasons until his football career abruptly ended. In 2013, Hernandez was arrested for the murder of Odin Lloyd, a minor league football player and the boyfriend of Hernandez's girlfriend's sister. Hernandez would also be indicted for another homicide that resulted in the deaths of 2 men in Boston. Hernandez was eventually convicted in the murder of Lloyd and was sentenced to life in prison. Days after being acquitted of the double homicide, Hernandez hung himself in his prison cell. His conviction in the Lloyd homicide was vacated due to a techincal loophole.

It was later revealed that Hernandez donated his brain to scientific research. While alive, he had expressed his belief that he was suffering from CTE and would like to confirm his suspisions after his death. As I stated in my previous blog, CTE can only be confirmed after death because it requires extensive biopsies of the brain. Recently Dr. Ann McKee, the director of the BU CTE Center and chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System, revealed the results of the studies she has been conducting on the brain of Aaron Hernandez. She stated that Aaron Hernandez's brain was the worst she has seen for a person his age, and that the amount of injuries that he had sustained took years. The damage was even down to the microscopic level. In the picture below, each brown spot represents an injury and the holes represent serious brain trauma.

This study may be used as evidence in future litigation against the NFL and may also bring about changes to the NFL's rules and business practices. This also shows that person with a relatively short career can sustain serious brain injuries that may bring about erratic behavior. Hernandez's wife attests that her deceased husband's CTE caused him to commit murder and to act impulsively and erratically. Another notable NFL player, Hall of Famer Junior Seau, stated that he felt that he was suffering from CTE before committing suicide. His brain was also examined and it also showed signs of severe trauma and CTE.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Hernandez

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/health/aaron-hernandez-brain.html