Former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez had one of the most severe cases of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) researchers have encountered in someone his age, according to his lawyer.
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CTE is a degenerative brain disease that is found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma and is commonly found in professional athletes who play contact sports, such as American Football.
Boston University's center for the study of CTE recently announced that an examination of Hernandez's brain indicated he had Stage 3, one step short of the most severe level. The 27-year-old killed himself in prison in April whilst serving a life sentence for murder.
Attorney Jose Baez said he is filing a federal lawsuit against the NFL and the Patriots on behalf of Hernandez's daughter. According to the lawsuit, Stage 3 CTE is most commonly found in patients with a median age of 67.
Here is the opening to the #AaronHernandez CTE lawsuit against the Patriots and NFL. pic.twitter.com/hgqsRngj5U
— Bob McGovern (@BobMcGovernJr) September 21, 2017
Neurologists who studied Hernandez's brain also found that the player "had early brain atrophy and large perforations in the septum pellucidum, a central membrane," according to a BU release.
