Retired former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, that died in 2014 at age 33 after experiencing a seizure, ended up being the latest NFL player to be diagnosed with CTE on Tuesday, Dr. Chris Nowinski announced, following an exam of his mind.

CTE (persistent stressful encephalopathy) is a degenerative mind condition connected with reoccuring hits to the head. Thomas was identified with Phase 2 CTE at Boston College after his brain was donated by his family members. Dr. Ann McKee conducted the evaluation of Thomas’ brain with the approval of his parents.

” I hope this is a wake-up call to high profile current & former #NFL players that CTE is widespread among them, as well as they require to get involved in developing real services,” Nowinski created. “CTE should be their top off-the-field problem.”

More context on Demaryius Thomas’ passing

During the last years of his life after relinquishing the NFL, Thomas experienced issues.

” He struggled with irregular actions, amnesia, & paranoia,” Nowinski created on social networks.

Although a conclusive cause of death had not been announced by Boston College, it was reported that it was likely a seizure that caused Thomas’ death. Thomas suffered from seizures following a car accident in 2019. That case resulted in various other mishaps and also falls.

Katina Smith, Thomas mommy, launched a statement with the Trauma Legacy Foundation.

” As soon as I became aware of CTE and started to acquaint myself with the signs, I noticed that Demaryius was separating himself as well as I saw other modifications in him,” Smith stated. “He was just so young, and it was dreadful to see him battle. His daddy as well as I wish all households learn the threats of playing football. We do not desire various other moms and dads to have to lose their kids like we did.”

Thomas passed away last December, months after a Pro Bowl profession with the Broncos, Houston Texans, and New York City Jets. A former first-round draft choice from Georgia Technology who had five consecutive 1,000-yard getting seasons and also made a Super Dish champion while capturing passes from Peyton Manning, Thomas established a Super Dish document with 13 receptions in a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He completed his occupation with 724 receptions for 9,763 backyards and also 63 goals.

At the time of Thomas’ death, he was bestowed a number of emotional tributes, including Manning.

” DT was a far better person than he was a gamer, and he was a Hall of Popularity gamer. That informs you just how great of a person he was. He treated my youngsters like they were his own. He was there for every colleague’s charity drive. Definitely ruined.”

Thomas now a part of an expanding list of CTE medical diagnoses

A 2017 study located that 99 percent of checked minds of NFL gamers had different stages of CTE. Among the previous players impacted by CTE consist of Ken Stabler, Aaron Hernandez, Ray Easterling, Junior Seau, as well as John Mackey.

The mind injury research study at Boston College of Medicine concluded that 33 of 34 gamers checked post-mortem had indications of CTE. That consisted of Jovan Belcher, that, like Seau, Dave Duerson, and Easterling, died of suicide.

As well as currently, Thomas has actually joined this regrettable growing checklist of those who have actually been identified with CTE following their death.

Various other previous gamers whose post-death evaluations disclosed CTE include Phillip Adams, Colt Brennan, Dwight Clark, Lou Creekmur, Frank Gifford, Chris Henry, Vincent Jackson, Terry Long, Ollie Matson, Earl Morrall, Tommy Nobis, Bubba Smith, Mike Webster, Mosi Tatupu and Justin Strzelczyk.

NFL gamers, researches show, are additionally at high danger for ALS– amyotrophic side sclerosis. The neurodegenerative condition has actually been located to be a contributing element for NFL players. Many of these gamers also handled dementia unconnected to ALS or CTE and also were diagnosed post-mortem. That consists of Lawrence Phillips, Jim Ringo, and also Steve Smith.

Although CTE can not be identified formally unless a brain is given away as well as diagnosed, numerous gamers have disclosed symptoms that consist of ALS, dementia, or memory loss. That all falls in line with feasible CTE.

Among those that fall into this classification consist of Mike Adamle, O.J. Brigance, Lance Briggs, Tony Dorsett, Mark Duper, Brett Favre, Steve Gleason, Larry Johnson, Jamal Lewis, Bernie Kosar, Ted Johnson, Jim McMahon, Kyle Turley, Darryl Talley, as well as O.J. Simpson.

” I want to say thanks to Bobby Thomas and Katina Smith– and all households– for their count on @annmckeemd as well as this group,” Nowinski wrote. “We would certainly have no concept why a lot of former football gamers battle with neurological conditions after their profession without the family members who say yes to mind contribution.”

Aaron Wilson is the NFL Expert for Pro Football Network. Follow him on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL.