Episode 8: Centers, Tight Ends & CTE
In 2002 America would mourn the death of former NFL Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Webster. In the days leading up to his death Webster was acting "crazy". He was living out of his truck by choice, even though he had plenty of money. He appeared unkept, paranoid and lacked sleep.
On June 26, 2013, the entire United Stated watched as a star player on one of the NFL's biggest franchises was escorted out of his house by police. New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was charged later that day with the murder of Odin Lloyd.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, more commonly known as CTE, is the term used to describe brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas. CTE is a diagnosis made only at autopsy by studying sections of the brain. Is CTE silently killing athletes and veterans?
Episode Sources:
http://www.bu.edu/articles/2017/cte-former-nfl-players/
https://concussionfoundation.org/CTE-resources/what-is-CTE
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/aaron-hernandez-timeline-murders-trials-prison-suicide/1886y82a8bgyx123qxcgg04lb5
https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/concussion/
https://medium.com/@sam.hooker10/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy-prominence-in-former-nfl-players-d1d0d707265a
Music and Sound Effects Credit:
https://pixabay.com/music/epic-classical-epic-darkness-469/