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Concussions likely culprit for NFL player’s suicide

Posted at 6:33 PM, Jul 27, 2012
and last updated 2012-07-27 19:31:20-04

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) -An autopsy report from the Richmond medical examiner says there are signs that deceased football player Ray Easterling suffered from degenerative brain disease.

The Richmond medical examiner told the New York Times it found signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, caused by blows to the head.

Easterling died in April after shooting himself, he had suffered from dementia for a long time.

Mary Ann Easterling, Ray's wife, says she now has some relief, knowing her suspicions have been confirmed.

She also says her husband suffered numerous concussions as a player, many went undiagnosed or ignored. Easterling is one of 3,000 people filing a lawsuit against the NFL for not properly dealing with player's head traumas.