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Competing CTE group hopes to study Seau’s brain

Seahawks v Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 16: Junior Seau #55 linebacker for the San Diego Chargers watches the offense work versus the Seattle Seahawks in their preseason game on August 16, 2002 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 24-14. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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As the family of Junior Seau considers whether to make his brain available for research regarding the existence of Chronic Traumatic Encephelopathy, the decision-making process also will include choosing between two separate CTE research groups.

The Sports Legacy Institute at Boston University has made a request, as has the Brain Injury Research Institute, founded by Dr. Bennet Omalu and Dr. Julian Bailes.

Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru of ESPN report that Dr. Omalu, the chief medical officer for San Joaquin County, participated in Seau’s autopsy. Still, until Seau’s family authorizes that the brain be studied, neither the Sports Legacy Institute nor the Brain Injury Research Institute will be able to take action.