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former nfl star Demarius Thomas, who died last December at the age of 33, had CTE, his family said on Tuesday.
Researchers from Boston University CTE Center diagnosed Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver with stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy after a brain study through the Concussion Legacy Foundation. Thomas’ family released the study’s findings.
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In this September 16, 2018, file photo, Denver Broncos wide receiver Demarius Thomas (88) walks against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver. Former NFL star Demerius Thomas, who died last December at the age of 33, had CTE, his family said Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
(AP photo/Jack Dempsey, file)
Demerius’ mother, Katina Smith, said in a statement, “Once I was diagnosed with CTE and began to familiarize myself with the symptoms, I noticed that Demerius was isolating himself and I noticed other changes in him.” ” “He was just too young, and it was terrifying to watch him struggle. His father and I hope all the family learns the risks of playing football. We don’t want other parents to lose their kids like we did.”
Stage 2 CTE is associated with “progressive behavioral, cognitive and mood abnormalities”. Family members say Thomas developed depression, anxiety, panic attacks and trouble with his memory in the years before his death. Stage 4 is the most severe stage of CTE and is usually associated with dementia.
“Like many who have gone before, we found Stage 2 CTE in the mind of Demerius Thomas. The question I keep asking myself is ‘When will be enough?’ When will athletes, parents, and the public at large stop ignoring the risks of American football and insist that the game be changed to minimize subconscious hits?” The chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System and director of the BU CTE Center and VA-BU-CLF/Unite Brain Bank, Dr. Ann McKee said.
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Detail view of a ball at the #88 Tribute logo to the late former Denver Broncos player Demerius Thomas after a game against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field at Mile High on December 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Dr. Chris Nowinsky, co-founder and CEO of CLF, arranged the study through Thomas’ family.
“The football community would not know that so many former players struggled with neurological disorders after their careers without families saying yes to brain donations, so I want to thank Bobby Thomas and Katina Smith – and all the families – for their Faith for Dr. Mackie and this team,” said Nowinsky, a former Harvard football player. “I hope this is a wake-up call to high profile current and former NFL players that CTE is prevalent among them, and that they need to get involved in creating a real solution. CTE should be their number one off-the-field issue “
Thomas is one of more than 300 former NFL players who have been diagnosed with CTE by Mackie and the BU CTE Center research team.
The cause of Thomas’ death is not yet known. In 2021, Thomas started having seizures. Mackie told ABC News that he believed the seizures were caused by serious traumatic injuries from the football field, including car wreckage and a fall on stone stairs.
“CTE itself doesn’t cause death. You don’t die from CTE. What CTE does is that it changes your behavior and your personality,” Mackie said.
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Denver Broncos wide receiver Demarius Thomas (88) catches a pass before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Denver, September 9, 2018. Former NFL star Demarius Thomas, who died last December at age 33, had CTE, his family said Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
(AP photo/Jack Dempsey, file)
Thomas played 10 seasons in the NFL for the Denver Broncos. New York Jets, and Houston Texans. He won a Super Bowl with the Broncos and Peyton Manning after the 2015 season.
Thomas took 724 catches for 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns.