BOSTON — Conrad Dobler fully embraced the aggressive style of the NFL, earning the notorious title of “Pro Football’s Dirtiest Player” during the 1970s.
This embrace of violence may have ultimately led to significant damage to his health.
The family of the former St. Louis Cardinals offensive lineman revealed on Wednesday that he suffered from a severe form of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disorder associated with concussions and the repeated head trauma commonly experienced in football and other contact sports.
“My dad adored football, but his passion for the game inflicted a toll on his body, mind, and his relationships,” stated his daughter, Erin Lewin, who cared for him until his passing two years ago.
“His diagnosis of CTE gives us some closure regarding the neurological and behavioral challenges he faced, which affected not only him but also all of us who cherished him.”
Dobler was a three-time Pro Bowl player and also had stints with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills.
Embracing his infamous reputation as a dirty player, he appeared in a Lite Beer commercial that labeled him as a “Famous Troublemaker,” and featured in a 1977 Sports Illustrated cover story where he boldly asserted, “I’ll do anything I can get away with.”
However, in his later years, Dobler expressed a desire to enhance the safety of the game.
In 2010, he committed to donating his brain to researchers at the Boston University CTE Center.
He passed away in February 2023, a day after the Super Bowl matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are set to clash once more for the NFL championship this Sunday.
According to researchers, Dobler was found to have cortical sparing CTE, which may present with mildly less severe cognitive symptoms but typically shows earlier onset of behavioral symptoms.
“Conrad began as a teammate and grew to be like a brother to me,” remarked Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Cardinals lineman Dan Dierdorf in a statement from the Concussion Legacy Foundation.
“It pained me to see him struggle and gradually fade away. He was an unstoppable force … until that was no longer the case.”
CTE, which can only be diagnosed posthumously through brain examination, is known to cause a range of issues, including memory loss, depression, and extreme mood swings in athletes and others who endure repeated head trauma.
A survey conducted in 2017 indicated that signs of CTE were present in nearly 90% of the 200 brains analyzed, which included 110 of 111 brains of former NFL players.
Additionally, Dobler was involved in advocating for improved disability benefits for retired NFL players.
The Concussion Legacy Foundation stated that his family is encouraging former football players to engage in research while still living and to promise to donate their brains after death.
This embrace of violence may have ultimately led to significant damage to his health.
The family of the former St. Louis Cardinals offensive lineman revealed on Wednesday that he suffered from a severe form of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disorder associated with concussions and the repeated head trauma commonly experienced in football and other contact sports.
“My dad adored football, but his passion for the game inflicted a toll on his body, mind, and his relationships,” stated his daughter, Erin Lewin, who cared for him until his passing two years ago.
“His diagnosis of CTE gives us some closure regarding the neurological and behavioral challenges he faced, which affected not only him but also all of us who cherished him.”
Dobler was a three-time Pro Bowl player and also had stints with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills.
Embracing his infamous reputation as a dirty player, he appeared in a Lite Beer commercial that labeled him as a “Famous Troublemaker,” and featured in a 1977 Sports Illustrated cover story where he boldly asserted, “I’ll do anything I can get away with.”
However, in his later years, Dobler expressed a desire to enhance the safety of the game.
In 2010, he committed to donating his brain to researchers at the Boston University CTE Center.
He passed away in February 2023, a day after the Super Bowl matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are set to clash once more for the NFL championship this Sunday.
According to researchers, Dobler was found to have cortical sparing CTE, which may present with mildly less severe cognitive symptoms but typically shows earlier onset of behavioral symptoms.
“Conrad began as a teammate and grew to be like a brother to me,” remarked Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Cardinals lineman Dan Dierdorf in a statement from the Concussion Legacy Foundation.
“It pained me to see him struggle and gradually fade away. He was an unstoppable force … until that was no longer the case.”
CTE, which can only be diagnosed posthumously through brain examination, is known to cause a range of issues, including memory loss, depression, and extreme mood swings in athletes and others who endure repeated head trauma.
A survey conducted in 2017 indicated that signs of CTE were present in nearly 90% of the 200 brains analyzed, which included 110 of 111 brains of former NFL players.
Additionally, Dobler was involved in advocating for improved disability benefits for retired NFL players.
The Concussion Legacy Foundation stated that his family is encouraging former football players to engage in research while still living and to promise to donate their brains after death.
