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Ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez had 'most severe' brain disease Ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez had 'most severe' brain disease
(about 17 hours later)
An ex-NFL footballer who killed himself in April after he was acquitted in a double murder trial had a "severe case" of a neurodegenerative brain disease. An ex-NFL footballer who killed himself in April after he was acquitted in a double murder trial had a "severe case" of a degenerative brain disease.
Aaron Hernandez, 27, suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease associated with head injury, his family lawyer said. Aaron Hernandez, 27, suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition associated with head injury, his family lawyer said.
He was found hanging in a Massachusetts prison, where he was serving a life sentence for another murder.He was found hanging in a Massachusetts prison, where he was serving a life sentence for another murder.
Hernandez's family had asked his brain to be tested for CTE. Hernandez's family had asked for his brain to be tested for CTE.
His attorney, Jose Baez, disclosed the CTE revelation as he sued Hernandez's former team, the New England Patriots, and the NFL on behalf of the athlete's young daughter. His attorney, Jose Baez, made the CTE revelation as he sued Hernandez's former team, the New England Patriots, and the NFL on behalf of the athlete's young daughter.
Researchers at Boston University, which studies the progressive degenerative disease that is found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma, found Hernandez's brain to be at "an advanced stage" of CTE, according to Mr Baez. Researchers at Boston University, which studies the progressive degenerative disease that is found in people with a history of repetitive head trauma, found Hernandez's brain to be at "an advanced stage" of CTE, according to Mr Baez.
"It was the most severe case they had ever seen," he told reporters in Boston on Thursday."It was the most severe case they had ever seen," he told reporters in Boston on Thursday.
Deep impact
CTE is a type of dementia associated with repeated blows to the head and recurrent episodes of concussion.
Common symptoms include impulse control problems, aggression, depression and paranoia, the US-based Concussion Legacy Foundation says.
The disease's link to American football is well-known - but awareness of its impact on rugby players, footballers and action sports stars is only just emerging.
CTE, which can only be diagnosed after death, has been found in the brains of dozens of former American football players.CTE, which can only be diagnosed after death, has been found in the brains of dozens of former American football players.
His death came five days after he was acquitted in a double murder trial. Hernandez's death came five days after he was acquitted in a double murder trial.
The former tight end was reportedly found with a Bible verse scrawled on his forehead after he took his own life.The former tight end was reportedly found with a Bible verse scrawled on his forehead after he took his own life.
The rise and fall of Aaron Hernandez
He marked the gospel passage "John 3:16" in red ink on his forehead, according to local media reports.He marked the gospel passage "John 3:16" in red ink on his forehead, according to local media reports.
It refers to the phrase: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."It refers to the phrase: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
The rise and fall of Aaron Hernandez
Hernandez was cleared in the fatal shooting of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado outside a Boston nightclub in 2012.Hernandez was cleared in the fatal shooting of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado outside a Boston nightclub in 2012.
But he was still serving a prison sentence for a separate killing before his death.But he was still serving a prison sentence for a separate killing before his death.
He had been found guilty in April 2015 of the first-degree murder of his friend, another American footballer, the semi-professional Odin Lloyd, in 2013.He had been found guilty in April 2015 of the first-degree murder of his friend, another American footballer, the semi-professional Odin Lloyd, in 2013.
Lloyd's body was found with six bullet wounds less than a mile from Hernandez's home.Lloyd's body was found with six bullet wounds less than a mile from Hernandez's home.
Within hours of his arrest for the 2013 shooting, the Patriots sacked Hernandez, considered one of the top tight ends playing the game.Within hours of his arrest for the 2013 shooting, the Patriots sacked Hernandez, considered one of the top tight ends playing the game.
Hernandez was given a life sentence without parole.Hernandez was given a life sentence without parole.