Former NFL cornerback Irv Cross, who died on Feb. 28, 2021, was found to have had stage 4 chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
According to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, Cross' family announced on Tuesday that Boston University researchers diagnosed him with the disease.
"For the last five years of his life Irv stopped being able to do the things he loved and his problems with his balance, memory, and delusions, were very embarrassing and depressing for him," Liz Cross, Irv's wife, said. "His life became a constant struggle, and he suspected it was from CTE. Now that we know for sure, Irv would want others to learn about the disease and the risks of playing tackle football, especially for children.