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In an effort to learn more about his death, the family of former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson decided to donate his brain to researchers at Boston University’s CTE Center. The decision was confirmed by a spokesperson of the Jackson family and the director of the university’s CTE Center, according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine.
Jackson, who was found dead in a hotel room in Florida, was a three-time Pro Bowler during his time with the then-San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Regarding their decision to donate his brain, Allison Gorrell, the family spokesperson, told The New York Times that Vincent “would have wanted to help as many people as possible” She added that it will also help answer some of the family’s questions about his death.
CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative disease of the brain which can be caused by repeated head trauma, including those suffered by athletes. It is a disease that has previously affected former boxers and football players, and can only be diagnosed posthumously in a special autopsy where certain parts of the brain are examined. Boston University researchers have previously found the illness in the brains of several former NFL players.
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“If anything can be learned from his death that might help someone else, Vincent would want that since he was passionate during his life about impacting others around him,” Gorrell said, per ESPN.
Vincent Jackson, who passed away at age 38, was a second-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, and played 12 seasons in the league. After retiring from football, he was known in the Tampa area as a businessman and philanthropist.
