Dave Duerson, former college and professional football star, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in February at the age of 50. He shot himself in the chest to ensure that his brain would remain intact for study, feeling strongly that he had suffered traumatic brain injury as a result of multiple collisions sustained over many years playing the sport he loved.

He was right. The family of Duerson, who left a note specifically requesting that his brain be studied, recently received the results of a microscopic examination of the player's brain by doctors at Boston University. The findings were both noteworthy and telling, and serve to add urgency to the need to better address and treat concussions and other head injuries that occur routinely in football and other contact sports.

Researchers found that Duerson's brain had "classic" and "moderately advanced" symptoms of brain damage that adversely affected his ability to reason and control his behaviors, as well as to remember events.

They concluded specifically that Duerson had chronic traumatic encephalopathy ("CTE"), a degenerative disease common in participants of violent sports. "When you look at Duerson's brain microscopically, it's indisputable," said Dr. Ann McKee, an Alzheimer's disease specialist.

The findings were made public at the request of Duerson's family. "It is my greatest hope that his death will not be in vain, and through this research, his legacy will live on," said Duerson's son.

The National Football League has pledged $1 million for the further study of CTE.

Related Resource: Fox News, "Former NFL Star Dave Duerson Had Brain Damage at Time of Suicide" May 3, 2011