Duerson Asks for Brain to be Studied, Commits Suicide

Former Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson committed suicide on Thursday. Before shooting himself fatally in the chest, Duerson texted family members requesting that his brain tissue be studied for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is caused by repetitive brain damage and is linked to dementia, depression, and suicide. CTE has been discovered in other players after they committed suicide, including Philadelphia Eagles player Andre Waters.

Although doctors, N.F.L. officials, and football players have denied the link between football and such brain damage for a long time, players are becoming increasingly aware of and concerned about CTE. This is the first time, however, that a player killed himself with the specific request that tests be conducted on his brain.

See Report: Dave Duerson Texted Family, ESPN Chicago, Feb. 20, 2011; Alan Schwarz, Before Suicide, Duerson Said He Wanted Brain Study, N.Y. Times, Feb. 19, 2011.

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this to my attention.