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Former NFL defensive tackle Haynesworth says brain aneurysms nearly killed him (AFP)

New York (AFP) - Former National Football League defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth told a Tennessee radio station that he almost died in 2014 because of two brain aneurysms.

The 34-year-old played 10 NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Bucaneers before retiring in 2011 after 347 career tackles, 30 quarterback sacks and six forced fumbles.

Haynesworth's admission of brain issues comes as the NFL has had to fight growing evidence that repeated head trauma from concussions and other major impacts causes more severe brain damage later in life.