Boomer Esiason: CTE in 'All Football Players Probably'

Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason said on his radio show Monday that he and all football players probably have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease caused by head impacts over time.

Esiason was discussing the issue on “Boomer and Carton,” his New York sports-radio show, because the deadline was Monday for former NFL players to register for part of a $1 billion class-action settlement over the league’s handling of brain injuries, The Denver Post reported.

“All football players probably have it, the way I read it and the way I see it,” Esiason said, according to USA Today. Esiason made reference in his comments to a recent Boston University School of Medicine and VA Boston Healthcare System study that showed that 110 out of 111 former NFL football players who allowed their brains to be studied showed signs of the disease.

Up until now, doctors have only been able to diagnose CTE after a person’s death, but Esiason said he thought that within a few years it might be possible to diagnose living players with the disease, The Denver Post reported.

Esiason said that players of other sports could have CTE as well, including his co-host Craig Carton, who suffered multiple concussions as a soccer player, The Denver Post reported.

Terell Davis also referenced the study during remarks ahead of his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, saying, “I can’t lie, we’re all scared. We’re concerned because we don’t know what the future holds,” The Denver Post reported.

Fans and former players analyzed his comments alike, with some taking issue with his blanket characterization.

He made Millions putting his body on the line. Coal miners cotton and steel workers; labors have jobs that will cause bodily disability;Work

— Blanknewt2 (@Blanknewt2) August 7, 2017

I think that is a reckless statement to make

— Mike Golic (@espngolic) August 7, 2017

No Sir, the recent study did not show that at all, it was biased to those showing symptoms

— Rob McAvoy (@RobMac63) August 7, 2017

CTE is a major problem but the 110 of 111 players is likely misleading. Players tested had signs before death. Weren't randomly picked.

— Terry Spencer (@terryspen) August 7, 2017

Boomer always with the hyperbole. I agree with safety and I believe the NFL is working on making things better without hurting the game

— Curt (@im4ball) August 8, 2017

• Brain Trauma NFL Study: 43 Percent of Former Players Suffer From Damage
• NFL Concussion Diagnoses Decline in 2016