Following Probert, Other Athletes Ponder Brain Examinations

Our friends at si.com recently reported that a post-mortem examination of former NHL player Bob Probert’s brain has revealed that the longtime enforcer suffered from a degenerative brain disease.

Probert, who died of a heart attack last year, agreed during his lifetime to have his brain analyzed at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy after his death. Researchers at the CSTE analyzing Probert’s barin tissue found that he suffered from he degenerative brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopath.

“I always thought he should have his head examined,” said fellow enforcer Brandon Sugden, who engaged in numerous on-ice battles with Probert. “But he was a great fighter.” Probert is the second former pro hockey player to be diagnosed after his death with brain disease by the CSTE.

The study opens the door for similar examinations of athletes from other sports. Barry Bonds has already agreed to donate his brain to the center, which has invested in an oversized testing facility to accommodate his brain when it becomes available. The family members that control Ted Williams’ head are considering sending it to the CSTE but are currently facing opposition from the Williams family members who control the rest of his body.

Latrell Sprewell and Dennis Rodman were the first two former NBA players to apply to the CSTE to have their brains analyzed, but their applications were rejected when preliminary tests revealed that in fact they do not have brains. The Union of Former NBA Players Now Bankrupt and Living in Cars is suing to block any future applications by current or former NBA players for fear of similar results, halting the applications of Gilbert Arenas and Ron Artest.

The opportunity to delve into former players’ brain tissue has also attracted the attention of die-hard sports fans across the country. A group of Boston Red Sox fans has mounted a campaign to attempt to convince Bill Buckner to donate his brain for study at the CSTE. The center says it has also reached out to Leon Lett and Chris Webber but to date no testing of those former players has been scheduled.