One of the biggest names in concussion study and research thinks disgraced NFL legend O.J. Simpson might be suffering from a degenerative brain disease.
Dr. Bennet Omalu told People.com this week he believes Simpson could be suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the brain disease Omalu discovered in NFL players.
“I would bet my medical license that he has CTE,” Omalu, who was portrayed by Will Smith in the movie “Concussion,” recently told People.com. “Given his profile, I think it’s not an irresponsible conclusion to suspect he has CTE.”
Simpson hinted at long-term effects from football, considering using them as a defense in an appeal against robbery and kidnapping charges. Simpson was convicted of those charges in 2008 and remains in prison. Simpson pleaded for a new trial in 2012, arguing his actions were a result of the long-term damage from “numerous blows to my head and/or landed on my head violently” during his football days.
It’s also worth pointing that among the many CTE symptoms are things like mood swings, impulsive behavior, aggression and emotional instability.
H/t to CBS Sports
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@DallasBlack
