Authorities in Miami have determined that former Bears safety Dave Duerson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, according to NBC 5 in Chicago.
Per the report, Duerson informed loved ones in a text message that he wants his brain to be studied.
A friend of the family contacted Chris Nowinski, co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Ecephalopathy, Thursday night. Arrangement were made for the brain to be prepped and sent to Nowinski’s program for research.
The tissue will be checked for the presence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE.
“NFL players are at high risk for CTE,” Nowinski said. “It’s sad, it’s shocking that it may have been on his mind” the moments before his death.”