Adrian Robinson, a former NFL linebacker who committed suicide in May, was found to have the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Robinson played 22 games over two seasons for four different teams, and had been a defensive lineman for Temple University in college. He committed suicide about one month after he signed a Canadian Football League contract.
CTE has been found in the brains of other NFL players who’ve committed suicide, including Junior Seau and Dave Duerson. CTE has been linked to repeated blows to the head.
Robinson was found to have had several concussions during his time playing in the NFL. The link between CTE and concussions is still being debated by scientists, but concerns have led to changes in concussion protocols and rules about when athletes can return to play.
Family lawyer Ben Andreozzi told the AP that Robinson’s family noticed unexplained changes in his behavior.
“He went from being one of the nicest guys you’d ever want to talk to, to having a darker edge at times,” he said.
Recent studies have found high percentages of deceased former NFL players had CTE.
