BOSTON (AP) — The Boston University center that studies brain injuries to professional athletes says former NFL player Dave Duerson had brain damage when he committed suicide in February.
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at the B.U. School of Medicine announced on Monday its findings on its examination of Duerson’s brain. The safety who began his NFL career with the Chicago Bears was 50 when he shot himself in the chest.
Dr. Robert Cantu, co-director of the CTSE, said at a news conference that such results normally are published first, but the Duerson family wanted them released earlier.
Duerson was drafted by the Bears in the third round out of Notre Dame in 1983. He played seven years with Chicago, one with the New York Giants and three with the Phoenix Cardinals.
