By Alex Greig Three former NFL players have been diagnosed with having signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), including former Dallas Cowboys great and football Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett, 59. Up until recently, the only way to diagnose CTE was by studying brain tissue after death, but a UCLA research team has pioneered a brain-imaging technique that identifies a build-up of abnormal proteins called tau in the brain. The other players diagnosed were Hall of Fame offensive lineman Joe DeLamielleure, 62, and former All-Pro defensive lineman Leonard Marshall, 52. One other unidentified player was also tested but his results are not yet known.
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Former Dallas Cowboys great Tony Dorsett has been diagnosed with having signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
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He was diagnosed by a research team from UCLA which developed the test
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Before the test, the only way to discern CTE was to examine the brain after death
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Former NFL players Leonard Marshall and Joe DeLamielleure were also confirmed to have signs of the disease
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CTE causes memory loss, confusion, mood swings, depression and eventually dementia
Dorsett, Marshall and DeLamielleure are among the more than 4,500 plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit filed against the @placeholder, which argued that for years the NFL had concealed a link between football and brain damage.
Dorsett, Marshall and DeLamielleure are among the more than 4,500 plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit filed against the NFL, which argued that for years the @placeholder had concealed a link between football and brain damage.