Sports fans in New York may have been surprised to hear the latest news about one former pro-athlete. The family of former MLB player Ryan Freel learned that he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy before killing himself in 2012. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE, is a serious degenerative brain disease that typically arises from a head injury that occurs frequently. Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy and Sports Legacy Institute reviewed the report with Freel’s family and MLB executives during the third week of December 2013.
Boston University’s report determined that Freel was suffering from Stage II CTE before shooting himself on Dec. 22, 2012. Between 2001 and 2009, he played for five different teams, retiring in 2010. He is the first MLB player to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The degenerative disease is typically reserved for players who participate in sports with more contact, like hockey, boxing and football. Freel was diagnosed with several concussions throughout his career. During a 2007 Reds-Pirates game, Freel had to be hospitalized after colliding with a fellow teammate. He had previously been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, anxiety and depression.
One of the co-founders of the Sports Legacy Institute believes the new findings should caution MLB executives to monitor the potential risks for brain-traumatic incidents that may occur during baseball games. Anytime an employer becomes aware of a danger at the workplace, they may be liable for informing employees of or protecting them from the newly found risk.
Legal council may be depended on by accident victims for assistance with assessing negligence or identifying a liability party for restitution. Local legal professionals may be able to help victims organize pertinent legal matters in a clear agenda during an emotionally trying time.
Source: Fox News, “Family says late MLB player Ryan Freel had chronic traumatic encephalopathy“, December 16, 2013
