Posthumous diagnosis: Former Nashville captain confirmed to CTE in tragic update
Photo credit: TSN
Discovering the impact: Former NHL star Greg Johnson diagnosed with CTE after his death.
The tragic posthumous diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in former NHL captain Greg Johnson has reignited discussions about the long-term impacts of contact sports on athletes' brains.
Johnson, who died by suicide in 2019 at the age of 48, had his diagnosis reported by TSN's Rick Westhead, highlighting the ongoing debate about the sport's safety.
Greg Johnson, remembered for his leadership on the ice and his 14-season tenure with teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, and Pittsburgh Penguins, is now becoming a face of the dire consequences that can follow a professional hockey career.
Johnson was drafted 33rd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1989 and quickly made his mark in the league.
« Former NHL player Greg Johnson, who played 14 seasons in the league, has been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, the brain-withering disease linked to repetitive brain trauma in contact sports.
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His family and the Concussion Legacy Foundation have brought to light the stark reality of CTE�a disease commonly associated with repeated brain trauma.
This revelation comes five years after Johnson's untimely death, emphasizing the need for a greater understanding and preventive measures within contact sports.
The diagnosis has had a profound impact on Johnson's family. His daughter, Carson Johnson, expressed the family's lack of awareness about CTE at the time of her father's death, reflecting a broader gap in public and player education about brain health in sports.
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«I had no idea what CTE even stood for when my dad took his life,» Carson said in a statement released by the Boston-based Concussion Legacy Foundation. «Now understanding that the hits he endured throughout his hockey career damaged his brain, I want all athletes to understand the risks and I want the NHL to start acknowledging it exists and do more to protect its players so other daughters don't have to lose their fathers.»
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«I had no idea what CTE even stood for when my dad took his life,» Carson said in a statement released by the Boston-based Concussion Legacy Foundation. «Now understanding that the hits he endured throughout his hockey career damaged his brain, I want all athletes to understand the risks and I want the NHL to start acknowledging it exists and do more to protect its players so other daughters don't have to lose their fathers.»
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Johnson's case adds to a growing list of former NHL players diagnosed with CTE, including Ralph Backstrom, Henri Richard, and Stan Mikita.
This pattern underscores the critical need for the NHL to address and mitigate the risks associated with the sport.
Despite the mounting evidence, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has maintained a cautious stance regarding the link between CTE and hockey, a position that has drawn criticism from various quarters.
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«Other than some anecdotal evidence, there has not been that conclusive link there has not been conclusive determinations,» Bettman testified.
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«Other than some anecdotal evidence, there has not been that conclusive link there has not been conclusive determinations,» Bettman testified.
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With 17 out of 18 studied NHL player brains showing signs of CTE, the issue is becoming harder to ignore.
The league faces increasing pressure to acknowledge and tackle the implications of repetitive brain trauma, ensuring the safety and health of its players.
Johnson's story is a poignant reminder of the personal costs associated with inaction and the urgent need for change in professional sports.
Source: Hockey Feed
Another NHLer gets posthumously diagnosed with CTE after suicide
Another NHLer gets posthumously diagnosed with CTE after suicide
| POLL | ||
11 JUILLET | 45 ANSWERS Posthumous diagnosis: Former Nashville captain confirmed to CTE in tragic update Should the NHL payout for victims of CTE? | ||
| Yes | 40 | 88.9 % |
| No | 5 | 11.1 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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