Former Cincinnati Bengal wide receiver, Chris Henry, has said to have suffered from a chronic brain injury that could have led to his untimely death last winter, according to West Virginia University doctors. As you may recall, the late NFL receiver either fell or jumped from the back of a moving pickup that he was in while involved in an altercation with his fiancee.
Tests were administered to Henry by neurosurgeon Julian Bailes and California medical examiner Bennet Omalu, co-directors of the Brain Injury Research Institute at WVU, to which they found that Henry suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
The injury, which is also referred to as CTE, is caused by mulitple head impacts. Many retired NFL players have been diagnosed with Alzheimers, and have suffered from other memory issues, and many believe those are also a result of head trauma. However, CTE has been linked to neurobehavioral symptoms, such as, failure at personal and business relationships, use of drugs and alcohol, depression and suicide. Henry had a well documented history of struggles off the field, which included drug and gun possession. Interestingly enough, Henry was never diagnosed with a concussion during his career.
The doctors involved have looked at 27 athletes that have had similar results to Henry, but there is nothing concrete or definitive that can link their symptoms to repeated blows to the head. Over the years there have been cries for safer helmets, and a crackdown of blows to the head. However, with a sport that is so violent, it will be hard to expect much improvement.
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