Boston University doctors reported Tuesday that former NFL wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has been diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Thomas’ death was announced on December 9 when he was 33 years old. The cause of death has not yet been released by the coroner in Georgia.
Dr Ann McKee, who is a neurologist, was involved in the research and said Thomas likely died after a seizure, a condition the athlete had suffered from since 2019 according to his family.
“ETC doesn’t cause death, you don’t die from ETC,” McKee told ABC News. On the other hand, the ETC changes your behavior and your personality. ยป
Family members also mentioned that they had noticed changes attributable to ETC in Thomas in recent years. He is said to have suffered from an ETC Stage 2. At stage 4, it would be a question of an individual who may be suffering from dementia.
Thomas is among more than 300 former players to receive the ETC diagnosis from McKee and the Boston University team.
