American Scandal Aaron Hernandez: A Football Tragedy | The Vow | 1
Nov 21, 2023
The podcast dives into the tumultuous life of Aaron Hernandez, exploring his rise from a promising athlete to a tragic figure. It examines signs of troubling behavior dating back to his college days, compounded by immense pressures in the NFL. The chilling link between his actions and a neurological condition called CTE is discussed, raising questions about athlete mental health. Chaotic incidents, legal woes, and the high stakes of his career are highlighted, painting a complex portrait of resilience amid rising challenges.
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CTE Found In A Young Athlete
- Dr. Anne McKee found severe CTE signs in Aaron Hernandez's brain at age 27, including frontal lobe atrophy and large holes.
- She emphasized repetitive brain trauma from collisions as intrinsic to football and not fully preventable by helmets.
CTE Can Impair Judgment And Self-Control
- McKee warned that CTE of this severity impairs impulse control, judgment, and increases rage and emotional volatility.
- She noted pathology can't prove behavior causation but repeatedly links severe CTE to aggression problems.
A Vow After His Father's Death
- At 16, Aaron Hernandez vowed at his father's funeral to reach the NFL and win a Super Bowl to honor him.
- That vow drove intense training and motivated choices that shaped his football path to Florida and beyond.
