CHICAGO (AP) – Former football star Aaron Hernandez’ brain was riddled with damage from a degenerative brain disease linked with head blows, but that doesn’t necessarily explain the troubles that plagued his young life.
The diagnosis comes from a Boston University researcher who has studied hundreds of brains from football players, college athletes and even younger players, donated after their deaths. Dr. Ann McKee announced Thursday she found evidence of severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in Hernandez’ brain. Her autopsy also found signs of early brain shrinkage even though Hernandez was only 27 when he hung himself in prison in April.
His lawyer filed a lawsuit against the NFL and the New England Patriots on Thursday, claiming they failed to protect their players’ safety.
What’s known about CTE and how it affects the brain:
DOES CTE MAKE PEOPLE VIOLENT?