The former NFL guard, Conrad Dobler, once called the dirtiest player in the League, suffered from CTE when he died in 2023, a new study revealed.
Almost exactly two years after his death at the age of 72, Dobler's family and The CTE center of the University of Boston announced On Wednesday he was diagnosed with stage 3 of degenerative brain disease after his death.
“My dad loved the football game, but his love for the game affected his body, his mind and his relationships,” said Dobler's daughter, Erin Lewin, who was his main caregiver during the last years of his life.
'His diagnosis of CTE provides a sense of closing in terms of justifying his neurological and behavior problems that affected him not only to him but to all who love and take care of him.
“We feel relieved to have a definitive and proud response to honor their desire to make public the findings to raise awareness about the risks of repetitive head of the head and for the research carried out at the University of Boston.”
CTE, abbreviation for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is still a great concern for NFL after an alarming study of 2023 found that 92 percent of deceased players had the disease, which can only be diagnosed after death.
Conrad Dobler, once called the dirtiest NFL player, had CTE when he died in 2023
Dobler (left) was diagnosed with stage 3 of the disease, his family announced on Wednesday
Soccer players are at risk for CTE, which leads to symptoms such as depression and aggressive behavior, since it is largely caused by repeated blows in the head.
The family of the late Tennessee Titans player, Frank Wycheck, announced last month after his death in 2023 at 52 years, while former Packers Campo Marshal “On whether he also has it after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. last year.
Dobler, an All-Pro and three times Pro Bowl guard, was diagnosed with CTE in stage 3 after his death. There are only four stages of the disease.
It is said that he was passionate about CTE's investigation before his death, he even promised to donate his brain in 2010 at the age of 59.
The Native of Chicago began 125 of his 129 games with the cardinals of St. Louis (1972-77), New Orleans Saints (1978-79) and Buffalo Bills (1980-81).
On July 25, 1977, he made the cover of Sports Illustrated with the title 'The dirtiest player of Pro Football'.
Infamous stories about the offensive Linler fighter included hitting Joe Greene, spitting in Bill Bergey and kicking Merlin Olsen in the head.
“I will do anything I can go out to protect my field marshal,” he told the magazine.
The cardinals wrote Dobler in the fifth round of the University of Wyoming in 1972.
After its successful six -year spell with the team, it was included in the Sport Hall of St. Louis in 2016.