Former NFL Player Aaron Hernandez Had Advanced Stages of CTE

Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez had advanced stages of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, autopsy conducted by Boston University's CTE Center showed.

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ESPN reports that tests conducted on the brain of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez showed that he had an advanced stage of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) and that player’s daughter will sue NFL and the Patriots for “leading Hernandez to believe the sport was safe.” CTE is a degenerative brain disease and can cause changes in mood and behavior including aggression, paranoia, depression and impulse control problems. CTE can only be diagnosed in autopsy and is common for former athletes and other people with a history of brain trauma. Hernandez committed suicide in April 2017 in his cell at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center where he served life in prison sentence for murder.

We’re told it was the most severe case they had ever seen for someone of Aaron’s age,” – said Jose Baez, Hernandez’s attorney.

The autopsy was conducted by Boston University’s CTE Center’s director Dr. Ann McKee. CTE Center issued a statement saying that “based on characteristic neuropathological findings, Dr. McKee concluded that Mr. Hernandez had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Stage 3 out of 4, (Stage 4 being the most severe)”. The statement also revealed that Hernandez had “early brain atrophy”.

Playing college football at the University of Florida, Hernandez received John Mackey Award in his junior season and was recognized as the best tight end in the nation. Despite this, his draft stocks were not high, due to his problematic behavior off the court. After entering the 2010 NFL Draft, he was drafted by New England Patriots in the 4th round with the 113th overall pick. During his 3 seasons with the Patriots, Hernandez was a productive player and had 175 receptions, 1,956 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns. After he was arrested on murder charges in 2013 offseason, Patriots released Hernandez. In 2015 he was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

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