The Tennessee Titans finished their 2024 campaign with a 3-14 record, earning them the first overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. While there is some excitement surrounding the team and their upcoming draft pick, Titans fans received some eye-opening news regarding former star tight end Frank Wycheck following his tragic death in 2023.
Wycheck spent seven seasons of his 11-year NFL career with Tennessee, earning all three of his Pro Bowl selections during that stint. Sadly, Wycheck died on December 9, 2023 after falling and hitting his head at his home. After his death, Wycheck’s family partnered with Boston University’s CTE Center to study his brain, and it was revealed that he tested positive for stage III CTE.
“The family of late Tennessee Titans great Frank Wycheck announced that the former tight end had tested positive for Stage III chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in hopes that the diagnosis would raise awareness of the dangers of brain injuries in contact sports,” TMZ shared on its website.
Death of Frank Wycheck highlights concerns about CTE
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Wycheck became the latest deceased NFL player to be diagnosed with CTE, continuing a worrying trend of this dangerous brain disease that strikes the league’s players during and after their careers. Wycheck previously said he had no doubt that he suffered from CTE and was going to donate his brain to research to increase awareness among players and fans.
People with stage III CTE typically experience a variety of cognitive difficulties, such as memory loss or problems planning. The Wychecks hope the former star’s case can be used to highlight how dangerous concussions and CTE can be, and the NFL will remain vigilant in trying to find ways to better protect its players from this vicious disease .
Owen Crisafulli is the senior editor and NFL lead at ClutchPoints, which also covers the NBA and MLB. He recently received his Masters of Business Administration from Nichols College. Previously, he earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management, ran his own website, and was signed by FanSided and the Basketball Network.
