The condition, called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), was identified in the brain
tissue of former Andre Waters, a Philadelphia Eagles player who killed himself in 2006, one of several suicides of former players whose brain tissue has evinced CTE on examination. NFL alumni groups
meet to talk about poor pensions and health benefits, but they are also a walking menagerie of ailments incurred from the trauma they received as professional players.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has addressed the issue of head injuries and the league has changed rules to attempt to reduce their incidence, but Duerson's death will raise the stakes, particularly if his autopsy reveals CTE.
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