You, Me and CTE
Summary
Former wrestler Chris Harvard shares how a career-ending concussion led him to expose the NFL’s cover-up of CTE. He details his transition from athlete to advocate, founding the Boston University CTE Center to study brain donations. The episode explores the science of tau protein damage, the risks of repetitive head trauma in youth sports, and the urgent need for better diagnosis and cultural change.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Capital One Banking
Intro: Identifying Concussion Signs
Guest Background: Football in Chicago
Harvard Career and NFL Draft Snub
Transition to Pro Wrestling
Reflections on Not Being Drafted
Wrestling Debut and WWE Tough Enough
WWE Career and Character Development
Injury and Undiagnosed Concussion
Sponsor: Shopify
Host's Head Injury and Guest's Recovery
Diagnosis of CTE and Dr. Cantu
Writing the Book and Exposing NFL
Post-Mortem Studies and Media Breakthrough
New York Times Coverage of CTE
Science of CTE: Tau Protein and History
Risk Factors: Contact Sports and Duration
Symptoms and Mental Health Impacts
Sponsor: Capital One Banking
Building the CTE Center and Research
Future of CTE, Youth Sports, and Advocacy
The 'Shake' Sign and Closing Remarks
Sponsor: Capital One Banking
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