Getty ImagesJunior Seau’s brain tissue is on its way to the National Institutes of Health.
The Associated Press reports that Seau’s family asked the San Diego County medical examiner’s office to send some of the former NFL linebacker’s brain tissue to the NIH for research. The medical examiner does not have any information about what kind of tests will be done on Seau’s brain, but it likely will be related to the ongoing work being done to discover links between head injuries suffered on the field and problems later in life. Seau killed himself in early May.
Previous research has found signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the brains of former NFL safeties Dave Duerson and Andre Waters, both of whom also committed suicide. CTE is a neurological condition caused by repeated blows to the head and it has been found in players at the collegiate level as well as several dead former professionals. A pathologist who has worked extensively on identifying CTE took part in the autopsy performed on Seau and a Boston group focused on the condition requested a chance to study Seau’s brain tissue shortly after his death.
There’s no word on when or if results of the research will be made public.
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Rest in Peace sweet Prince.
Very sad and surreal.
I wonder if padding the outside of helmets would help cushion blows and stop it the helmet from being such a weapon. They pad walls at race car tracks, boxing gloves are padded etc…
Makes you wonder–if the NFL is as concerned about player safety as they say they are, why are most of their rules designed to protect offensive players? Are only half the players in the league worth protecting? Not to mention the push for an 18 gm season, Thursday night games, etc.
All three players listed in this article played on defense. I’ve always thought the rules were in place to juice up offense and attract viewers. When you step back and look at the mosaic, the NFL treats its ex-players (and current players) like they’re not concerned about them in the least.
I certainly respect the family in their decision, however I am not sure why they would send only tissue if they were interested in giving researchers the best chance for a complete study/verdict. This way there could be important questions never answered, which could lead to speculation, keeping this case in a constant state of discussion/flux, thus making it difficult for the family to put the tragedy to rest and move on away from it. May God love them regardless of their choice.
This will be the single greatest contribution to the game of football that Seau could ever make.
RIP Junior! And may your legacy include helping fix the game for the better.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say; it was a fluke. Had nothing to do with football, and was personality related. Call me whatever you want, but in my 52 years, I have had five different friends commit suicide. There is a pattern in their personalities. I didn’t know Junior, but I have read alot about the kind of guy he was. He fits the pattern. I know that most of you will say I’m an A-hole, but I’m telling ya, it’s just the kind of guy he was, most likely. I’m not saying there is no “head trauma related suicide” in the NFL, but I don’t think Junior was one of them……….
Do these studies take into consideration when the damage first occurred? I’m not an NFL apologist but why is this constantly being laid at their feet? All NFL players have been playing the sport since pop warner. No one has forced these individuals to put the helmets on. I play contact sports, I fully understand the risks I take every time I step out on the field or on the ice.
Please young players, I beg you. Dont lead with your helmet. Arms and shoulder pads or I will throw a flag on you. Its to protect you and your parents.