Diagnosis adds a new and perhaps pivotal role chapter football still-developing story about concussions. Duerson shot himself in the chest feb 17 instead of the head, presumably so that his brain will be examined by the Boston University Center for the study of traumatic encephalopathy, announced his diagnosis.
About two dozen retired N.F.L. players found to have the disease, known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, but no one acted on his suspicions about what Duerson, 50, who complained to the family of his deteriorating mental state during his last months.
His death reminded the football community that the injury suffered by former players for all the reforms in the management of concussions and other brain trauma on the field during the last years, still has traces of the game more brutal times.
"It is tragic that Dave Duerson took his own life, but it is very meaningful that he recognized the symptoms of malaise — it validates this condition," said Dr. Ann McKee, neuropathologist who examined the Duersons brain. She said she found incontrovertible evidence for C.T.E. in tissue samples, with "evidence of any other disturbance."
Although the exact motives behind Duersons suicide remains unknown, he had complained of headaches, blurred vision and a deteriorating memory during the months before his death. His last note to his family ended with a handwritten request: "Please see that my brain is provided for the N.F.L. brain bank".
N.F.L. does not run the Group Boston University research but donating $ 1 million to finance last year, after the League recognized the long-term effects of football brain trauma.
C.T.E., a condition which was previously mainly associated Boxer and manifests itself in behavior, better known as dementia pugilistica, is a degenerative and incurable disease compromises neural activity and is linked to memory loss, depression and dementia. Although groups at Boston University and elsewhere, carries out tests on live patients, the condition currently identified only after death, an autopsy of the brain.
"We hope these results will contribute to the understanding of C.T.E.," said N.F.L. in a statement. "Our head, neck and spine Medical Committee will study today's results, and as a league, we will continue to support the work of researchers at Boston University Center and elsewhere to deal with this issue in a straightforward and efficient manner.
DeMaurice Smith, the Executive Director of the Association who said in a telephone interview with the Duerson C.T.E. "makes it quite clear what the cost of the football team is the men who played and families."
He added: "it seems that any decision or action that is not recognized as being the truth not only perpetuating a lie, but doing a disservice to Dave feared and what he wanted to lead from the donation of their brains to science."
Duersons – rattled players both active and retired, which after years of News Media are more aware that their brains damage may be permanent. Pete Kendall, a recently retired offensive lineman, said, "the whole issue of C.T.E. is something that players young and old have no choice but to think."
Duersons previous wife, Alicia, took part in the Conference in Boston News with their four children. Their son Tregg, 25, made a brief statement, saying, "it is our hope that the issues that go beyond our interest can be answered by this research — questions that lead to a safer fixtures, from professionals to Pop Warner."
"He added with his father," it is my greatest hope that his death was not in vain and that his heritage through this research, will live and others don't have to suffer in the same way. "
Duerson was an all-American defensive back at Notre Dame before spending most of his 11 seasons with the bears N.F.L.. He played safety on the famed 46 defense that fueled their Super Bowl championship season in 1985, and he won the 1991 Super Bowl with the Giants.
Duerson retired after the 1993 season and became successful in the food-services before his company collapsed, the marriage failed and he went bankrupt. He started showing symptoms of repetitive brain trauma, including memory loss, poor impulse control and abusive behavior towards loved ones.
Another son, Brock, 22, said that the diagnosis of C.T.E. given an explanation for his father's decline and the final act.
"I don't want people to think just because he was in debt and broke he wanted to finish it," he said. "C.T.E. took his life. He changed dramatically, but it eats in his brain. He knew how to fight it. "
Duersons case is unique, in addition to the circumstances of his suicide. Since 2006, he served on the Panel of six members which are regarded as applications for disability benefits filed by former N.F.L. players. Although individual votes will be held in confidence, that the Board save in the award of benefits, including the neurological damage.
Duerson himself told a Senate Subcommittee in 2007 as he questioned whether the player's cognitive and emotional struggle was related to football.
Duerson's legacy will almost certainly be how he apparently believed he had acted the C.T.E., and requested that his brain tissue examined for confirmation and contributions to science.
Dr. Robert Stern, along with McKee a Co-director of the Group Boston University research, cautioned that C.T.E. couldn't explain all a player's actions.
-Regarding suicide and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, it is possible that some individuals the combination of C.T.E.-related symptoms of poor impulse control, depression and cognitive impairment can actually lead to suicide, said Stern. "But we can never clearly point to a cause and effect relationship in any case one."
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