{"id":24869,"date":"2017-07-25T17:09:01","date_gmt":"2017-07-25T21:09:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=24869"},"modified":"2021-12-28T20:39:38","modified_gmt":"2021-12-29T01:39:38","slug":"boston-university-cte-research-reveals-shocking-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/07\/25\/boston-university-cte-research-reveals-shocking-results\/","title":{"rendered":"Boston University CTE Research Reveals Shocking Results"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new study by\u00a0Dr. Ann McKee\u00a0examined the brains of 202 deceased football players. This Boston University CTE research reveals shocking results. Out of 111 of the brains of former NFL players, 110 of them had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).<\/a><\/p>\n

Boston University CTE Research Reveals Shocking Results<\/h2>\n

202 former\u00a0football players, including 111 NFL players, agreed to donate their brains to this research. The study examined players from as young as 23 years of age to as old as 89. These came from all player positions as well, including 44 linemen, ten linebackers, 17 defensive backs, and seven quarterbacks. 177 of the 202 brains were diagnosed with CTE. These results of the study were posted in the Journal of the American Medical Association.<\/p>\n

CTE is a neurodegenerative brain disease which can be found in\u00a0people who have been exposed to repeated head trauma<\/a>. The\u00a0repetitive blows to the head cause a\u00a0buildup of abnormal tau protein in the brain.\u00a0These proteins\u00a0can disable neuropathways and lead to a variety of clinical symptoms. These symptoms include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, aggression, depression, anxiety, and sometimes suicidal behavior. Unfortunately, the only method of formally diagnosing CTE is through an autopsy.<\/p>\n

The NFL denied for years that there was a connection between\u00a0head trauma\u00a0and CTE. With star quarterbacks like Troy Aikman<\/strong> <\/a>and Steve Young<\/strong> <\/a>retiring early from concussions, the league downplayed the severity of head injuries. The NFL even went as far as omitting over 100 cases of concussions<\/a> to make it seem like less of an issue. It wasn’t until 2016 that the NFL\u00a0admitted there was a connection between\u00a0head trauma\u00a0and CTE.<\/a><\/p>\n

With these harrowing results uncovered by Dr. McKee’s research, there’s no denying the NFL has a real problem on their hands.\u00a0A billion dollar settlement<\/a> was reached between the NFL and it’s former players last year.\u00a0The NFL even pledged $100 million towards funding concussion-related research. Hopefully\u00a0a solution can be found to help save football and it’s players.<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n