Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael, a vital member of the legendary 1985 Super Bowl-winning team, has been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The diagnosis was announced by the Concussion & CTE Foundation and highlights the potential connection between repetitive head trauma in football and neurodegenerative diseases.

CTE Diagnosis Confirms Concerns

McMichael passed away in 2023 at the age of 67 after a five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His wife, Misty McMichael, donated his brain to the Concussion & CTE Foundation for research, hoping to shed light on the possible link between the two conditions.

Wife's Plea for Further Research

Misty McMichael stated in a release, “Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death. I donated Steve’s brain to inspire new research into the link between them.”

Understanding CTE

What is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy?

CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease found in individuals with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including athletes in contact sports and military veterans. Symptoms can include mood swings, impulsivity, and depression, but the condition can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem.

NFL Players and ALS Risk

Research indicates a concerning correlation between playing in the NFL and developing ALS. A 2021 study by Harvard Medical School and the Boston University CTE Center found that NFL players are more than four times more likely to be diagnosed with ALS compared to the general male population.

Expert Insights

Dr. Ann McKee, head of the Boston University CTE Center, noted that approximately 6% of individuals in their brain bank with CTE also exhibited signs of ALS. She emphasized the growing body of evidence linking repeated head trauma to the development of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.