Posted on February 21, 2011 · Posted in Brain Injury

Dave Duerson Suicide – Brain Injury Connection?

Yesterday I posted a blog about ex-Chicago Bear Dave Duerson committing suicide last Thursday. It’s now believed that Duerson shot himself in the chest, rather than in the head, so his brain would be intact for testing for the degenerative disease that is plaguing retired NFL players.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/sports/football/21duerson.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=todayspaper&adxnnlx=1298347229-Dg4cWa3q7aadLplNdLIloA

Not long before he took his own life, Duerson told his family that he wanted his brain tissue examined by Boston University’s Center for the Study of  Traumatic Encephalopathy, according to The New York Times. That center has been collecting, and testing, brain tissue from deceased NFL players.

The paper reported Monday that Duerson, 50, had confided to a friend that he believed he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease believed to be the result of repeated concussions during years of playing football.

In its story Monday, “NFL Players Skaken by Duerson’s Suicide Message,” The Times quoted a number of NFL players who were upset by his actions.

They should be. And they should be worried.

About the Author

Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447