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Chicago Bears Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael, who passed away last year after a five-year battle with ALS, has been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the Concussion & CTE Foundation said.
"Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death," Misty McMichael, his wife, said in a statement. "I donated Steve's brain to inspire new research into the link between them."
CTE is a degenerative brain disease that's been linked to athletes in contact sports, as well as others who've experienced repetitive head trauma. It can cause memory loss, confusion, dizziness, headaches, impaired judgment, impulse control issues, depression and aggression. CTE can only be diagnosed after death.
McMichael spent 13 seasons with the Bears and won Super Bowl XX in the 1985 season. He was a two-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. McMichael's 92.5 career sacks rank second in franchise history, behind only Richard Dent (124.5).
According to Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation, McMichael researched the link between ALS and CTE and pledged to donate his brain to be studied after his death.
"Steve McMichael was known for his strength, toughness, and larger-than-life presence, but his final act was to give a piece of himself back to the sports community so that we might have a chance to save ourselves," Nowinski said. "I appreciate all the former athletes, including many of Steve's '85 Bears teammates, who are raising funds and volunteering to participate in CTE research so we can create a brighter future for athletes everywhere."
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears legend Steve McMichael diagnosed with CTE after death
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"Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death," Misty McMichael, his wife, said in a statement. "I donated Steve's brain to inspire new research into the link between them."
CTE is a degenerative brain disease that's been linked to athletes in contact sports, as well as others who've experienced repetitive head trauma. It can cause memory loss, confusion, dizziness, headaches, impaired judgment, impulse control issues, depression and aggression. CTE can only be diagnosed after death.
McMichael spent 13 seasons with the Bears and won Super Bowl XX in the 1985 season. He was a two-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. McMichael's 92.5 career sacks rank second in franchise history, behind only Richard Dent (124.5).
According to Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation, McMichael researched the link between ALS and CTE and pledged to donate his brain to be studied after his death.
"Steve McMichael was known for his strength, toughness, and larger-than-life presence, but his final act was to give a piece of himself back to the sports community so that we might have a chance to save ourselves," Nowinski said. "I appreciate all the former athletes, including many of Steve's '85 Bears teammates, who are raising funds and volunteering to participate in CTE research so we can create a brighter future for athletes everywhere."
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears legend Steve McMichael diagnosed with CTE after death
Continue reading...
