Thomas, who died in December at the age of 33, was dealing with depression, anxiety, and other CTE symptoms when he died.
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Boston — Former NFL Pro Bowl Wide Receiver Demarius Thomas is up to date With an increasing list of soccer players diagnosed with CTE.
His family said on Tuesday that researchers discovered that Thomas, who died in December at the age of 33, was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The four Pro Bowl wide receivers addressed depression, anxiety and other CTE symptoms at the time of his death.
CTE is a degenerative brain disease that can only be diagnosed after death and has been found not only in hundreds of former NFL players, but also in semi-professional and high school soccer players. Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau suffered from CTE when he died in 2012 due to a gunshot wound on his chest.
Hall of Fame Ken Stabler, Frank Gifford, and Mike Webster were also diagnosed with CTE.
Researchers at the Boston University CTE Center discovered that Thomas was in Stage 2 after a brain study by the Concussion Legacy Foundation. The Thomas family published the results of the study.
"As I noticed the CTE and began to get used to the symptoms, I noticed that Demarius was isolated and he saw other changes," said Demarius' mother. One Katina Smith said in a statement. "It was scary to see him struggling because he was so young. His father and I hope all families learn the risks of playing football. As other parents do not have to lose their children. ”
Stage 2 CTE is associated with“ progressive behavioral, cognitive and mood abnormalities ”. The family says they developed depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and memory problems in the years before Thomas died. Stage 4 is the most severe stage of CTE and is usually associated with dementia.
"Like many people I've been to, I found a stage 2 CTE in Demaryius Thomas's brain. I keep asking myself," When will it be enough? " When athletes, parents, and the general public stop ignoring the risks of American football and insist on changing the game to reduce subcontractive hits. "Dr. Ann McKee, Head of Neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System and Director of the BUCTE Center and VA-BU-CLF / UNITE Brainbank, said.
CLF co-founder and CEO Dr. Chris Nowinski arranged the study through Thomas' family.
"Bobeat-mass and Katina Smith, and all I want to thank my family — for the trust of Dr. McKee and this team, ”said Harvard former soccer player Noinsky. "This is a wake-up call to the current and previous NFL players that are rampant and in the spotlight of the CTE, and hope they need to be involved in creating the actual solution. It should be their number one off-field problem. "
Thomas is one of over 300 former NFL players diagnosed with CTE by McKee and the BUCTE Center research team.
The cause of death of Thomas has not yet been identified. In 2021, Thomas began to experience seizures. McKee told ABC News that he attributed the seizures to serious injuries at the soccer field, such as a car accident and a fall on a stone staircase.
"CTE itself does not cause death. You do not die in CTE. What CTE does is change your behavior and personality," McKee said.
Thomas played for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Houston Texans NFL for 10 seasons. He won the Super Bowl at Broncos and Peyton Manning following the 2015 season.
Thomas made 724 catches with 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns.
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