Former Patriot Hernandez Had "Severe Case" of CTE

Former Patriot Hernandez Had "Severe Case" of CTE

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez had a “severe case” of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), according to tests conducted on his brain.

According to the CTE Center at Boston University, Hernandez had stage 3 of 4 of the disease and also had early brain atrophy and large perforations in a central membrane.

Hernandez hung himself in his prison cell on April 19 while serving a life sentence for the murder of Odin Lloyd. His suicide came only five days after he was acquitted in a separate double murder in 2012. 

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After being drafted by the Patriots out of the University of Florida, Hernandez played three seasons with the team, catching 79 passes for 910 yards during the 2011 season. 

The Patriots released him after his arrest in 2013. 

Lawsuit Against NFL, Patriots

Hernandez’s attorney Jose Baez said that Hernandez’s daughter is suing the NFL and the New England Patriots for leading him to think the sport was safe.

The $20 million lawsuit claims that the team and league deprived Avielle Hernandez of the companionship of her father. 

This lawsuit is separate from a $1 billion settlement that the NFL agreed to pay families of players who suffered brain damage due to head trauma while playing.

 

Aaron Hernandez’s attorney, Jose Baez, announced today that the former Patriots tight end had a severe form of C.T.E.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2017

Aaron Hernandez had advanced CTE. The NFL must address this devastating occupational health hazard for all its players. Immediately.

— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) September 21, 2017

Aaron Hernandez' lawyer says Hernandez had Stage 3 CTE, an incredibly advanced case usually found in the case of 67-year-old men.

— Tom Leyden (@TomLeyden) September 21, 2017