Bears icon Steve McMichael diagnosed with CTE year after death

""Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death. I donated Steve's brain to inspire new research into the link between them.""

""There is strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS," said Dr. Ann McKee, emphasizing the serious implications of head injuries in contact sports."

Steve McMichael, a Hall of Famer and key player for the 1985 Chicago Bears, was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He passed away at 67 after battling ALS. His wife, Misty McMichael, donated his brain to promote research on the connection between ALS and CTE. CTE is a degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive head trauma, causing mood swings and depression. Studies show NFL players are significantly more likely to develop ALS, with evidence supporting the link between brain trauma and the disease.

Read at ESPN.com