It was reported today that NFL Hall-of-Famer Frank Gifford’s family has given his brain to medical research. Gifford’s wife Cathy Lee announced the gift. She has said that he suffered from a traumatic brain injury most likely caused during his NFL career. The study of his brain began just after his death.
“In hopes of contributing to the advancement of medical research concerning the link between football and traumatic brain injury,” the family holds no grudge against the NFL.
Gifford passed at age 84 died back in August. The family says he was diagnosed with CTE (a progressive degenerative brain disease) before he died.
Gifford suffered a tremendous blow to the head during his career by the great Chuck Bednarik. The devastating tackle is shown below.
Above Photo Credit: After being walloped by Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik in a battle for first place, Giants running back Frank Gifford is removed from the Yankee Stadium field on Nov. 20, 1960. Gifford was knocked unconscious and missed the next two seasons. PHOTO: KIDWILER COLLECTION/DIAMOND IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
