In July 2019, 18-year-old Wyatt Bramwell tragically took his own life, just months after graduating from high school. However, a recent discovery in his brain might bring some much-needed answers to his grieving family. After a year-long study, researchers at Boston University diagnosed Wyatt with stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition commonly associated with professional football players. This diagnosis has sparked concerns about the impact of sports-related head injuries on young athletes like Wyatt.
Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Centre, who examined Wyatt’s brain, revealed that his case marked the first diagnosis of stage 2 CTE in a high school football player. The level of brain trauma found in Wyatt, a Kansas City, Missouri, teen, was alarmingly severe, according to the Concussion Legacy Foundation. Considering that Wyatt only played amateur football, reaching the highest level in high school, the extent of his brain damage is extremely worrisome.
Wyatt’s CTE was a result of approximately 10 years of playing tackle football, starting with flag football at the tender age of 5 and progressing to tackle in the third grade. His brain exhibited numerous CTE lesions throughout regions responsible for memory management, emotions, and body movements.
Dr. McKee confirmed that stage 2 CTE is typically associated with more severe behavioral and mood changes. Prior to his tragic death, Wyatt recorded a video expressing his struggles with depression, racing thoughts, and paranoia, which are consistent with the characteristics of CTE. Wyatt’s mother, Christie, believes that he intentionally preserved his brain by taking his own life, hoping it would provide crucial insights through research.
CTE is an Alzheimer’s-like disease primarily linked to former professional football players, but it has also been detected in military veterans exposed to explosions and blasts. Now, the discovery of stage 2 CTE in Wyatt’s brain highlights the increasing concerns regarding the potential development of the disease among young athletes. The accumulation of tau protein in the brain, disrupting neuropathways, is the pathological hallmark of CTE.
Dr. McKee emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating it provides clear evidence that children are susceptible to CTE through sports. She hopes that Wyatt’s case will encourage further efforts to prevent CTE, including the implementation of CTE Prevention Protocols in sports.
While previous studies have indicated that repetitive head hits, even without concussions, can lead to CTE, it is challenging to determine whether Wyatt’s symptoms were solely attributable to the disease or other factors. Wyatt’s inclusion in a study of 152 athletes who died before the age of 30 revealed a significant proportion of brain donors who died by suicide had CTE. However, the statistical relationship between suicide and CTE requires further investigation.
Looking back, Wyatt’s parents expressed mixed sentiments. His father, Bill Bramwell, admitted that, with the knowledge he has now, he would have encouraged Wyatt to stick to flag football for a longer duration. On the other hand, Christie Bramwell acknowledged that she wouldn’t have deprived her son of playing the sport he loved. Football was an integral part of Wyatt’s life, and she believes he cherished those memories.
The tragic case of Wyatt Bramwell sheds light on the devastating impact of CTE on young athletes, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to prevent and address the condition. As concerns continue to grow regarding the long-term consequences of repeated head injuries in sports, Wyatt’s legacy may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of athletic safety.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please seek help. Organizations like Lifeline are dedicated to providing support during crises.
