The miniseries “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” explores the life of NFL player Aaron Hernandez, who was convicted of murder in 2015 and died by suicide in prison two years later. Hernandez was diagnosed with CTE, a degenerative brain disorder caused by repeated head injuries. CTE can lead to behavioral changes, cognitive impairment, and other brain disorders, such as dementia. The effects of CTE may take years to show, but more repeated head injuries can make it spread faster.
CTE is more common in athletes, particularly in sports like boxing and football. Military veterans exposed to explosive blasts and individuals who have experienced repeated physical abuse are also at higher risk of developing CTE. Although the exact prevalence of CTE is unknown, a common factor among all documented cases is a history of brain injury or repetitive head impacts. The condition can only be confirmed after death, making it challenging to fully understand.
CTE can affect a person’s behavior in various ways, including memory loss, cognitive changes, impulsivity, aggression, violence, and depression. The frontal cortex of the brain, which plays a role in impulse control and behavior, is most impacted by CTE. Research has found that the longer a person plays tackle football, the greater their risk of developing CTE. However, it is still unclear if the severity of CTE directly causes violent behavior in individuals.
Hernandez’s brain scans revealed that he had stage 3 CTE, which is quite severe for someone his age. Despite the findings, researchers cannot definitively link the pathology in his brain to his violent actions. Factors such as depression and impulsive behavior likely contributed to his actions. Hernandez was found dead in his prison cell in 2017 in an apparent suicide while serving a life sentence for murder. There is evidence to suggest that individuals with CTE may be at an increased risk of suicide, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing this serious issue.
