When Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins, then went to Arrowhead Stadium and killed himself on Dec. 1, 2012, he was probably suffering from a neurological condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE.
The signs of CTE, which has been detected in other former NFL players whose brains were studied after their deaths and is linked to concussions, were found during tests of Belcher's brain, news that was first reported by Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star.
While the news should come as little surprise, given that CTE has been found in the brains of former players like Junior Seau who have acted erratically before killing themselves, it's more evidence for the negative effects of concussions and brain injuries for current and former players. The news also comes at a time when the NFL has been fighting negative publicity about domestic violence in the league. Belcher shot Perkins nine times. His blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he killed her.
The Star said the analysis was performed at the request of laywers for Zoey Belcher, the daughter of Jovan Belcher and Perkins. The results can be used in ongoing litigation against the NFL and the Chiefs, the Star said. Belcher's body was exumed for the tests, which is believed to be the first time that has been done in an NFL case, the Star said.
Here's what the report of Piotr Kozlowski, dean of research and professor of pathology at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York City, said via the Star: "The microscopic findings of neurofibrillary tangles in young person are fully consistent with the pathological presentation of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) as it is reported in the available medical literature.”
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
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