Audio By Carbonatix
The topic of concussions and NFL football players continues to make news, even in the off-season, as CNN tells the heartbreaking story today of former lineman Shane Dronett, who killed himself in 2009, three years after retiring.
Dronett was drafted in the second round by the Denver Broncos in 1992 and played four seasons here, racking up 21 sacks, before joining former Broncos coach Dan Reeves in Atlanta. His career ended in 2006 after a series of knee injuries.
In the story CNN’s medical reporter, Sanjay Gupta, reports on Dronett’s “transformation from an affable prankster, quick to flash a wry smile, to a person who was often frightened — and frightening…”
It also tells of how scientists in Boston “confirmed that before he died he was suffering with a brain disease — chronic traumatic encephalopathy — that seems to afflict football players.”
Denver, make your New Year’s Resolution Count!
We’re $14,000 away from our End-of-Year campaign goal, with just a couple of days left! We’re ready to deliver — but we need the resources to do it right. If Westword matters to you, please contribute today to help us expand our current events coverage when it’s needed most.
More from our Sports archive: Denver Broncos: Will Tim Tebow lovers revolt if team uses top draft pick to nab a quarterback?