Earliest stages of CTE impact Tony Dorsett
Source: Pittsburg Gazette
Former Pitt running back Tony Dorsett has been diagnosed with early signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to a report Wednesday from ESPN's "Outside the Lines."
CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma and has been linked to depression and dementia.
Dorsett, 59, along with former NFL stars Joe DeLamielleure and Leonard Marshall, underwent evaluations at UCLA over the past three months. Brain scans and other evaluations indicated early signs of CTE in all three, researchers told ESPN.
The disease is caused by buildups of tau, a structural protein that can become dislodged during repetitive head trauma and affect brain cells controlling memory and emotions. Autopsies of former NFL players -- including former linebacker Junior Seau, who committed suicide in 2012 -- have shown such buildups.
Two weeks ago, Dorsett told "Outside the Lines" he was experiencing memory loss, depression and thoughts of suicide. These symptoms prompted him to seek testing for CTE.
CTE has no cure, but a January study of five former NFL players showed the first signs of the disease in living humans, which researchers told "Outside the Lines" was a significant step forward.
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Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2013/11/07/Earliest-stages-of-CTE-hit-Dorsett/stories/201311070258#ixzz2jzGw33oC
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2013/11/07/Earliest-stages-of-CTE-hit-Dorsett/stories/201311070258
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riverbendviewgal
(4,252 posts)I know that sound absurd but could be touch football, eh?
I really don't like football, never have....Soccer is the world sport...and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. you don't have to be big either. Just fast running and good at kicking the ball.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)that american football has. When your head isn't in a helmet, you are less likely to use it as a weapon.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)... by having it in my mind that Tony Dorsett played for the Dallas Cowboys? Geez, I'm so sad to hear about this. I love football, I really do. But I have always cringed when seeing the hard hits they take. If none of you seen it, I remind you to run over to PBS.org and look up recent showings of Frontline. There is a documentary there that explains what CTE is.
OldRedneck
(1,397 posts)Dorsett was drafted #2 in 1977; played for the Cowboys 1977 - 1987. As I recall, he played a year or two for Denver after he left Dallas. Set several records.
He won the Heisman while at Pitt; several NFL Pro Bowl appearances, inducted into the pro football Hall of Fame.
His son played in the NFL for a few years in the late 1990's - early 2000's.
... just wanted to be sure I hadn't lost ALL of my marbles.
AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)My boy is not playing it. If anyone is educated on this subject then their kids will not play. Soccer should also do away with the headers at least until high school and probably women should never be allowed (can't make their necks big enough).
Schools should not be in the football business. As time goes on football will become a club sport like boxing or MMA.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)from opposite hills to see whose lines...1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. of warriors hold to advance the boundary of the Kingdom.
It has become less about moving a symbolic pigskin back and forth as it is hurting and targeting players/warriors. And greed...the more money involved, the less "sportsmanlike" it has become, as to be a player on the field could mean millions of dollars.
Less so basketball, but increasingly violent play is permitted and encouraged and I can't help but think it's the unbelievable sums of money that are at stake. They don't even call it the Disabled List anymore...it's whether they are "healthy" or "not healthy" as if they have a cold or the flu. Oh, and "play through the pain" is heard a lot.
Then there are the "roids" ... and the youngsters who now train to master feats that are beyond their age and physical development.
Very sorry about Dorsett, the others and those whose families have suffered in silence. Not a fan anymore.
jopacaco
(133 posts)As a Pittsburgh native, I feel it is my duty to correct the mispelling of my former home. The h has been there for over a hundred years.
Too bad about Tony Dorsett. It is sad to see what is happening to these great players.
jessie04
(1,528 posts)the facts are indisputable.
My friend knew Ray Easterling....his downhill course was tragic.
