Former Tennessee Titans star tight end Frank Wycheck died a year ago from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head.
Wycheck’s family confirmed the CTE diagnosis in a statement released Thursday, 13 months after the three-time Pro Bowler died after an apparent fall at his home.
A study of Wycheck’s brain conducted by Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center concluded that Wycheck had stage III CTE, according to his family. Stage IV is the most serious diagnosis.
Wycheck’s daughter, Deanna Wycheck Szabo, said: “Our family is pleased to learn of his diagnosis with CTE and hopes to continue his father’s wishes to provide support for NFL alumni and their families living with CTE. Providing increased awareness, enhanced intervention, education and support,” a statement. “We hope that NFL alumni who believe they have CTE will receive much-needed resources and guidance before their symptoms reach a debilitating state. Through continued CTE research and diagnosis, we hope that future NFL alumni will have clarity provided to families An outline and action plan for receiving care and treatment.”
Wychek was found dead in his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on December 9, 2023. He was 52 years old.
The family’s announcement comes one day after the 25th anniversary of “Music City,” the play Wycheck co-wrote and one of the most famous moments in NFL history.
On January 8, 2000, at the end of the Titans’ wild-card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, with Tennessee trailing 16-15 with 16 seconds left, Wycheck made what was expected to be the final game of the game. Started in the series. Wycheck started the kickoff and then threw a lateral pass to Kevin Dyson, who ran 75 yards for a touchdown and the Titans won 22-16.
Wycheck played for the Titans/Oilers in nine of 11 NFL seasons and ranks third in franchise history with 482 catches. In 2008, five years after retiring from the NFL, he was inducted into the Titans Ring of Honor. Wycheck also played two seasons with Washington.
Wycheck began working as a color commentator on the Titan Broadcasting Network in 2005. The Titans announced before the 2017 preseason that he would resign from the position due to lingering head issues.
“My dad put his body at risk his entire career,” Wychek Sabo said. “He loved the game and his teammates even more. After retiring, he fought for years to bring light to his post-retirement journey. He was terrified of his struggles and symptoms, knowing wholeheartedly that they were CTE. . He often felt forgotten and ignored, and his situation was helpless.
“In retrospect, I wish our family had understood the signs and symptoms of CTE. We now know that he did the best he could as a father and friend in circumstances beyond his control, rather than believing there was something wrong with him.” .
