Controversial NHL legend Bobby Hull, the Blackhawks’ all-time main scorer whose on-ice accomplishments had been overshadowed by off-ice points, had stage two continual traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) on the time of his loss of life in January 2023, the Concussion Legacy Basis mentioned in a launch Wednesday.
The Corridor of Fame ahead confirmed signs of CTE — together with short-term reminiscence loss and impaired judgement — “for the last nearly 10 years of his life,” based on the discharge.
The household of Hull, who was 84 years previous when he died, had donated his mind to the UNITE Mind Financial institution on the Boston College CTE Middle.
“Seeing the pain and heartache suffered by his lifetime friend Stan Mikita’s family, Bobby felt strongly no other family should have to endure CTE,” Hull’s spouse, Deborah, mentioned in a press release printed with the discharge. “He insisted on donating his brain, feeling as though it was his duty to help advance research on this agonizing disease.”
Hull, inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame in 1983, spent 15 years enjoying with the Blackhawks whereas accumulating 604 targets and 1,153 factors, along with his manufacturing from different stints with Winnipeg and Hartford within the WHA and NHL.
However after his profession, Hull’s fame was tarnished by controversies.
Hull’s ex-wife, Joanne, accused him of harrowing home abuse in an interview with ESPN for a “SportsCentury” documentary in 2002.
In 1986, after a police officer stepped in throughout a dispute between Hull and Deborah, he pleaded responsible to assaulting the officer — and Deborah additionally dropped a battery cost in opposition to Hull after the incident.
And in 1998, Hull mentioned Adolf Hitler “had some good ideas,” based on the Chicago Tribune — whereas being quoted by the Moscow Occasions, although he denied that he made these statements.
Concussion Legacy Basis CEO and former professional wrestler Chris Nowinski mentioned within the launch that the NHL “still shamelessly refuses to acknowledge this scientific truth” between hockey and CTE.
“We are grateful to Bobby Hull and all of the NHL players and families who are helping us learn how to prevent, diagnose, and treat CTE,” mentioned Boston College CTE Middle director Dr. Ann McKee mentioned in a press release.
“We encourage retired players and their families to reach out for help and care if they are concerned about CTE, as we are learning how to effectively treat symptoms, especially in midlife.”
