News of Charlie Garner’s health condition was a heartbreaking shot to the collective gut of Tennessee fans.
If you haven’t heard, doctors believe Garner may have Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. There can be no formal diagnosis because the disease can only be discovered after a patient dies and his brain can be examined.
CTE has been linked to repetitive hits to the head, i.e., those related to football. The disease can lead to dementia, depression and Alzheimer’s. It’s not a good prognosis to have.
Garner’s condition hits close to home because he was a fan favorite.