Irv Cross, former NFL star and analyst who died in 2021, had CTE Jimmy The Greek Snyder, Jack Whitaker, Brent Musburger, Jayne Kennedy, and Irv Cross. A first-round pick of the 1980 NFL Draft, Snell died Sept. 28, 2021, of cancer, the Tampa Bay Times reported. He is, to date, the only NFL player to die on the field during a game. In a 112 season under new coach Mike MacIntyre, Quessenberry started in all 13 games at left tackle and played mostly as a punt protector and extra point lineman. Bills safety Damar Hamlin was taken off of the field in an ambulance after collapsing mid game. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.. Dr. Peter McCullough, a top American cardiologist who has spoken out against the COVID-19 vaccines has given his two cents: I watched the play live both as a fan and a cardiologist and I saw blunt neck and chest trauma, a brief recovery after the tackle and then a classic cardiac arrest. Drew Weisholtz is a reporter for TODAY Digital, focusing on pop culture, nostalgia and trending stories. The chiseled Mike Henry logged a six-year career in the NFL for the Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers before focusing on acting. Laurie Fitzpatrick explains how it all works. I was able to play in the NFL. According to its latest report, the BU CTE Center said it has diagnosed 345 former NFL players with CTE out of 376 former players who were studied, a rate of 91.7%. Do NFL players ever have to poop during a game? Parys Haralson, who was a "beloved" member of the San Francisco 49ers and later, the New Orleans Saints, died on Monday at age 37, the team confirmed in separate statements. Huff died Nov. 13, 2021. By the time the sun set on Colt Brennan's Hawaii career, the quarterback had passed for more than 14,000 yards, and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting. (AP Photo/CBS). document.getElementById("new_pending_subscriber").submit(); Uche Nwaneri, a former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman died suddenly. The brother of former Texas star QB Sam Ehlinger, the younger Ehlinger was a walk-on linebacker for the Horns. But a mandate on getting a vaccine has no malicious intent either. In the second, he was a professional wrestler best known as "The Patriot.". This is becoming an undeniable (and an extremely concerning) pattern #DiedSuddenly pic.twitter.com/sYDbSgvbWF, DiedSuddenly (@DiedSuddenly_) January 3, 2023. he said. From this an abnormal heart rhythm could develop leading to cardiac arrest. She said she felt genetics played a bigger part in her husbands death than his chosen sport. The middleweight fighter defended his titles against the likes of Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran. He left behind his wife, Sharon, and his son, Brandon Shane Hughes, who was just under 2 years old. After being traded to the Houston Texans,Thomas played one final season in 2019 with the New York Jets. Cross is survived by his wife, Liz; four children, Susan, Lisa, Matthew, and Sarah; grandson Aiden; brothers Raymond, Teal, and Sam; sisters Joan, Jackie, Julia, Pat, and Gwen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. He was 82. How many players have died playing football? For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Cross was 81 when he died Feb. 28, 2021. pic.twitter.com/BxYz8s5xmq, CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) March 1, 2021. until pivoting, and thinking "Why not me? Uche Nwaneri The Observant Lineman #Snydercut (@Chukwu77) February 15, 2022, In one pro-vaccine thread, Nwaneri argued that if his 60-year-old mother could get fully vaccinated and be fine, why should I wait a moment longer?, My mom is over 60, has had 2 kidney transplants and she got the vaccine. Pedro Gomez was a newspaper reporter who got the ESPN call in 2003. Ehlinger was 20. And that wasnt who he was. Dr. Ann McKee, a professor of neurology and pathology at Boston University, said she was not surprised Irv Cross brain reached stage 4 given the length of his overall football career (the study counted 17 years) and his age. , passed away "after many years of dealing with chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Parkinsons disease brought on by the head injuries" from football. Perhaps best known for his 1989-1998 stint with the Kansas City Chiefs,Schottenheimer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014. Myre was 16. Little information about Hamlins medical condition was released after he collapsed Monday night. About the only thing that eluded Elgin Baylor during a legendary basketball career, on and off the court, was an NBA title. He died at 81 in 2021. Ex-NFL Player Vincent Jackson Had Stage 2 CTE When He Died He had been hospitalized seven weeks before for what doctors told the family appeared to be a spleen, lung or kidney injury, according to Yahoo! As Seminoles head coach from 1976-2009, Bowden won two national championships, 300-plus games -- and commitments from likes of Deion Sanders, Walter Jones and Derrick Brooks. Im extremely lucky to be alive extremely, McCantstoldAlabama Live in 2019. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. Amid the on-the-field struggles, a 2010 car crash left him with a brain injury. The youngest was 14. From 2011-2013, the defensive lineman tallied 122 tackles for the Fighting Irish. A team captain of Penn State's 1987 national-championship team, Steve Smith powered his way through a nine-year NFL career with the then-Los Angeles Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. From 1966-1968, the Los Angeles native and USC alum starred in three Tarzan movies, including Tarzan and the Valley of Gold. One of 15 children from Hammond, Indiana, Cross starred in football and track and field at Northwestern. Rodney Culver had to make the most of any opportunity he got. In college, Pete Lammons won a national title with the 1963 Texas Longhorns. Greg Clarkdidn't quit. The 53-year-old was found dead Sept. 2, 2021, in his St. Petersburg, Florida, home. The 47-year-old was killed . What NFL player died today? - Kyoto2.org Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello told the Courier an autopsy on the former Jacksonville Jaguars lineman found no evidence of foul play and Preliminary results indicate a possible heart attack, pending toxicology results., Nwaneri was vocal about his support for the Covid jab on social media and espoused support for mandatory vaccine schemes and vaccine passports, at one point saying, MANDATE THE VACCINE. The widow of the only NFL player to die on the field during a game, she needed to know that history was not repeating itself. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals last year, but was released in training camp. Undrafted out of Western Carolina, the 5-foot-10 wide receiver spent a year in the Arena Football League before battling his way into the NFL. Kobe Bryant NBA Hall of Famer The NBA Hall of Famer died Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others. Curley Culp had few rivals -- on the field, or on the mat. Clark, who spent his entire 1997-2000 NFL career with the 49ers, died July 7, 2021, at age 49. Former NFL player Keith McCants dies at 53. He was 41. Jake Ehlinger was found dead near the Texas campus on May 6, 2021. He was found collapsed in a bedroom in Indianapolis. In 1983, LaMarr Hoyt was on top of the baseball world. Melvin Villescas Floyd Little is an NFL Hall of Famer. Chuck Hughes had loved football since he was little, Sharon Hughes said, and she always supported him in his passion. We present them here for purely educational purposes. var wWidgetConf_72c367966e = {rows: 4,cols: 1,backgroundColor: 'rgb(240, 240, 240)',textColor: 'rgb(0, 0, 0)',borderColor: '#DDD',displayContent: '0',contentSort: '0',contentType: '0',showTitle: '1',showThumb: '1',widgetID: 'wWidget_72c367966e',layout: 'basic'}; Copyright The Washington Standard, All Rights Reserved. Former NFL player Jessie Lemonier dies at 25 - today.com They made their reputations in college football, college basketball, theNFL,the NBA,MLBbaseballand beyond. He was pretty much in a constant state of depression.. Fassel, who ended his coaching career in the United Football League, died June 7, 2021, of a heart attack. Mick Tingelhoff was an offensive lineman out of Nebraska who found a forever NFL home with the Minnesota Vikings. Jason Duaine Hahn. He died at 81 in 2021. Died Suddenly: Two NFL Football Players Struck Down On The Same Day. Its important to highlight cases like Irv Cross because he was able to live a long and successful life where CTE didnt dramatically impair him, he said. What NFL Player Died in 2021? - Sportsmanist A force with the Mountaineers, Huff was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980. Cross said her husband never experienced regret over his football career. The Hammond, Ind., native attended Northwestern. https://www.gettr.com/user/adansalazarwins, https://www.facebook.com/adan.salazar.735. The disease can be diagnosed only after death. The answer is they get members of the teams staff to hold up towels around them while they do their business. Fred Lane became quite the story for the Carolina Panthers, 3 12 & 13. No further details have been released about the former NFL star's cause of death, though his family said. The namesake father of fellow Indy 500 champ Al Unser Jr., the elder Unser died Dec. 9, 2021, at his home in New Mexico. The former defensive tacklediedFeb. 14, 2021, at the age of 34. We need to educate coaches to keep head trauma out of the game. Myre, who also wrestled for the high school, was one of four Oxford students killed in the shooting. On September 11, 2018, Quessenberry was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad. Pitcher Don Sutton won 324 career MLB games, 233 of them as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was must-see TV for every NFL fan. "Being a Longhorn meant everything to him," Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said of Jake Ehlinger. Frantic attempts to revive him, including medical personnel pounding on his chest, were unsuccessful. Tingelhoff never won a ring, but he earned six Pro Bowl honors and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Leon Spinkswas a high-school dropout turned U.S. Marines Corps enlistee who lost his front teeth -- but found a new life -- when he stepped into the boxing ring. He reclassified to start his college career sooner, and after one season at Kentucky, signed with an agent with an eye on the 2021 NBA Draft. David Patten went on to win three Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots. So a damaged heart (from the vaccine) might not have been able to withstand the blow from the tackle. His NFL career was brief, but at Notre Dame, Louis Nix was a force. The offensive tacklewas part of the Denver Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1998 and 1999. The retired tight end died April 29 2021, following a fall off a boat. And, yes, from the early 1980s on, Marvelous really was part ofHagler's legal name -- a fact that makes his legend that much more, well, marvelous. Included are players in professional and college football who have died of any cause. Praying for Damar Hamlin who remains unconscious after collapsing on the field during yesterday's NFL game. After Josh Evans was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2020, the former New York Jets and Tennessee Titans defensive tackle spent time wondering "Why me?" He was 25 years old. The CBS Sports family mourns the passing of Irv Cross. Around the NFL Staff. I'm vaccinated and feeling excellent every day of the week. Steelers backup quarterback and former Ohio State standout Dwayne Haskins has died at the age of 24. Aided by Cunningham's two rushing touchdowns, USC won the game -- and apparently made a point: In 1971, Alabama fielded its first-ever integrated varsity football team. It goes on and on and on. He was married to Liz for 34 years when he died. In one tweet he claims: What kind of idiot must one be to actually take a dewormer ivermectin which has absolutely nothing in any study anywhere about using for Covid, but youre stupid ass doesnt want a vax. Getty. He also says karma comes eventually and wishes it comes full circle for you, in response to another Tweet saying: Are we allowed to say that it was really only fat and old people who were dying from covid now, He was a strong believer in the science.. Former NFL Player Dies in Accident - WILX Chris Brown was a four-star-rated, Class of 2014 offensive tackle who went onto play the line for USC. A drug overdose was suspected. Pregnant women at risk too. For college players, the most common cause of death is in-game and practice injuries. Can you imagine how his mother felt? Hughes asked in an interview. However, it is very likely he was vaccinated. Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) January 3, 2023, All of yall who told your friends/family to get an experimental vaccine bc the gov told you to are responsible for this #Hamlin https://t.co/Pd0VvwT67I. Hes alive, she said. Hours later, the fifth-year head coach died in his sleep. Hoyt died Nov. 29, 2021, of cancer, his eldest son said. And Crowder isnt alone. He died Feb. 8, 2021, at the age of 77. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. But he didnt think kids should play football., As for diagnosed concussions, Cross said her husband told her he did suffer from several during his playing career but did not keep count. Nix's mothertold WJXT-TV that her son's car had been pulled from a pond located near his Jacksonville apartment. conscious in a hotel room. In 2021, he recorded 15 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks in seven games with the Lions. Lightning-quick wrists aided Aaron's pursuit of history, as did perseverance in the face of racially motivated death threats and hate mail. 15 NFL Players Who Died During Their Careers 1 Rodney Culver, San Diego Chargers. I still think theres a very cavalier attitude toward CTE. Cross was a fixture on CBS' "NFL Today" from 1975-1989. Former NFL star, CBS anchor Irv Cross had brain disease CTE His rosters included the likes of Troy Aikman, Ken Norton and Kenny Easley. We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Detroit Lion Jessie Lemonier, the Lionssaid in a statementposted on Twitter. "His life became a constant struggle, and he suspected it was from CTE. He also said he hoped NFL players were receiving proper medical screening for the type of heart issues that were not detectable in his fathers time. involving a prescription pill laced with fentanyl was to blame. Selected ahead of fellow defender Junior Seau, McCants saw his football life stall in the pros. Its a horrifying feeling, and, well, I just felt so sorry for the whole family last night.. No reason. He just wanted me to be there.. In 1970, Cunningham's Trojans traveled to the Deep South to take on an all-white Alabama squad. Former NFL player Jessie Lemonier dies at 25 The defensive end played one season with the Lions and one with the Chargers. Widow of NFL Player Who Died on Field 'Very Emotional' Over Damar Hamlin's Collapse Sharon Hughes, widow of late NFL player Chuck Hughes, said she "felt so sorry for the whole family last. His agent Cedric Saunders relayed the news. Died Suddenly: Two NFL Football Players Struck Down On The Same Day He stopped going to church. The blow caused a surge in adrenaline which greatly stressed the heart muscle triggering cardiac arrest. Associated Press. He was a constant gentleman," said Musburger, who worked with Cross and others on . The College Football Hall of Famer was 71. On that note, here's a look at five NFL players who lost their lives in 2022: #1 Jeff. Sign up for the Touchdown Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Does David Quessenberry have a brother in the NFL? Since 2000, 33 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football players have died in sport: 27 nontraumatic deaths and 6 traumatic deaths, a ratio of 4.5 nontraumatic deaths for every traumatic death. Irv Cross and his family made the decision to donate his brain to help raise awareness of the long-term consequences of repeated blows to the head. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports. Cross said her husband, who was diagnosed with mild cognitive dementia in 2018, often sat in a chair and grimaced from headaches that werent going away. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. UGA car crash: What we know about Jalen Carter arrest warrant As a freshman pitcher for George Mason in 2021, Sang Ho Baek made seven appearances. He was 81. He often spoke out on Twitter against the idiot anti-vaxxers who chose to find alternative treatments. He died at the age of 81 Cross Sunday morning near his home in Roseville, Mn. John Madden wasn't so much an icon as he was three icons: a Pro Football Hall of Fame-honored NFL head coach of the 1960s and 1970s who led the then-Oakland Raiders to 103 regular-season wins and a Super Bowl victory; a groundbreaking TV-game analyst for CBS, Fox, ABC and NBC from 1979-2008; and, as of 1988, the namesake of the blockbusterMadden NFLvideo game. Was he vaccinated? In between, he was named to 11 NBA All-Star teams, and played in eight NBA Finals with theMinneapolis-turned-Los Angeles Lakers. A seventh-round pick of the Eagles in 1961 out of Northwestern where he was coached by Ara Parseghian, Cross spent six years in Philadelphia as a player and another three with the Los Angeles Rams. Another brother, Paul Quessenberry, is a tight end on the Houston Texans. The Eagles' offensive line is the best unit we'll see on the field in Super Bowl LVII. (Photo: Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire, Getty), a moon walk above one of the most hallowed individual records in American sport, remember beginning his head coaching career, four-star-rated, Class of 2014 offensive tackle. Weakness is what I see in a lot of folks. The pregame show featured, among others, Brent Musburger, Irv Cross, Jack Whitaker, Phyllis George, Jimmy the Greek, and Jayne Kennedy through the years. NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins tragically passed away early Saturday morning after being hit by a vehicle on an interstate in Florida. Once a student of the game, NFL games were mostly background noise because he didnt know who was playing. Article posted with permission from Pamela Geller, function onCaptchaFormSubmit(token) { Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black sports analyst on national TV, is thelatest football player diagnosed with the brain disease CTE. Jail anyone who refuses., Ok so lets get these vaccine mandates and Vaccine passports up and running ASAP. IE 11 is not supported. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin shared news of the tragedy in a statement Saturday. He was just a wonderful man, she said, and this disease changed his life.. What happened to my father in 1971 is the Stone Ages as far as medicine goes compared to today, he said. He played in six games with them in 2020, according to Pro Football Reference. She is a rider, if she can get fully vaccinated and be fine, why should I wait a moment longer? The latestNFL COVID-19 Testing Results and Vaccination Ratespress releaseclaims nearly 95% of NFL players are vaccinated.. "Cut my veins, and I bleed Dodger blue," he wouldsay. Retired San Francisco 49ers player Greg Clark has died unexpectedly at the age of 49. On April 22, 2021, about a month after he was snapped in action here, the prospective NBA first-rounder. There was no . NFL Players | Past & Current NFL Players | NFL.com NFL: NFL players mourn Demaryius Thomas, dead at 33 - Yahoo! On April 22, 2021, about a month after he was snapped in action here, the prospective NBA first-rounder died in a car crash in Los Angeles. What do NFL players do if they have to poop? Nwaneri drove up from Georgia, police said, and . This is a list of players of American football who died while still on a team roster. Retirement was even rougher. All were competitors. "The investigation found that Chandler LeCroy, driver of the 2021 Ford . Its to protect me, even if its 5% more protection, it may be enough to keep me from getting a huge viral load and long haul covid. He was 71. He stood 6-foot-8. The retired champ died May 23, 2021. Find out more. Are these young men getting the medical care and screenings that they should?. Henry worked regularly into the 1980s, and played Junior in Burt Reynolds' Smokey and the Bandit movies. "Parys was a beloved member of our organization that lived life with an extraordinary amount of passion and joy, while leaving an indelible mark on . IN MEMORIAM - NFL PLAYER DEATHS DATE PLAYER; March 1, 2023: Jerry Richardson: February 26, 2023 He was 48. PROTECT LIFE. Former 49ers Player Greg Clark Dies Unexpectedly at 49 - Peoplemag Henry died Jan. 8, 2021. When did Josh Quessenberry start playing football? Former New Orleans Saints player Glenn Foster Jr., 31, died after his arrest and a fight with officers in jail. Cross joined CBS in 1971, becoming the first Black network sports show anchor. They made him a stronger helmet.. The fed gov is obligated to protect BOTH of us, not just you. The oldest was 17. He was 84, and, asreported by Variety, passed away "after many years of dealing with chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Parkinsons disease brought on by the head injuries" from football. Former NFL Player Uche Nwaneri Who Called to Jail Unvaccinated Dies Suddenly at 38, Died Suddenly: More Than 1-in-4 Say Someone They Know Died From COVID-19 Vaccines, Finds New Rasmussen Poll. After his retirement, he spent another 20 years in the franchise's radio booth. All were competitors. "I've been around all kinds of people, from every walk of life. ", "I have a great family. Ive looked through his social media and local news reports and couldnt find anything mentioning the vaccine or COVID-19. Law . The perfect tummy control bodysuit, a popcorn gadget, more bestsellers starting at $8. Like David Patten, Tony Joneswas an undrafted product of Western Carolina who made it to the next level in the NFL. Little died on January 1st, at the age of 78. Irv Cross was a star on the football field -- and a pioneer off of it. Sports stars who died in 2021 When he was with me, he really didnt want to be with me. The only person he wanted to be with was me. The three-time Pro Bowler was found dead Jan. 15, 2021, in a Brandon, Florida, hotel room. Ive been around all kinds of people, from every walk of life. The gridiron great died Feb. 18, 2021. Enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. By Drew Weisholtz Jessie Lemonier, a defensive end who played for the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions, has died at the age of 25, the Lions announced Jan. 26. Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, is thelatest football player diagnosed with the brain disease CTE. Lorenzo Washington helped Nick Saban's Alabama win the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. MartySchottenheimernever led a team to the Super Bowl, but that fact didn't make him any less a winner. (Ilkin was, in fact, the first Turkish-born player in NFL history.). Now that we know for sure, Irv would want others to learn about the disease and the risks of playing tackle football, especially for children.. Uche Nwaneri The Observant Lineman #Snydercut (@Chukwu77) August 8, 2021. He. Some players though try to be discreet about urinating on the sideline. Please check your email for a confirmation. Per a GoFundMe page established by a teammate, the student-athlete "suddenly passed away due to complications" following Tommy John arm surgery. 9/3/2021 9:29 AM PT. Lugo last saw MLB action for the 2011 Atlanta Braves. He went on to become a fixture of the network's MLB coverage. Five decades ago, Detroit Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes, 28, died of a heart attack when a blood clot dislodged after he was tackled. On Wednesday, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Charles Johnson was found dead at the age of 50. About two years ago, the linebacker out of Florida State was diagnosed with chronic liver disease, and placed on a wait list for a liver transplant. He struggled physically with his balance and was paranoid. Everyone is afraid to discuss this issue. In 2002, about seven years after hanging up his NFL helmet, and while still in his 30s, Smith was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (also known as ALS). We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Detroit Lion Jessie Lemonier, the Lions said in a statement posted on Twitter. In between, he was named to 11 NBA All-Star teams, and played in eight NBA Finals with the, (Photo: Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics, Getty). I was very emotional, Hughes, 77, said Tuesday from her Texas home. Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black sports analyst on national TV, is the latest football player diagnosed with the brain disease CTE. He was the nicest, kindest, most helpful, wonderful man I ever met, Cross said. And when the Nov. 30 incident began, Wingert said, relaying what he said he'd been told by students, #42 took a path toward the shooter. We certainly understand what theyre going through.. He was 66. He really didnt want to be with people, said his widow, Liz Cross. Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. Sharon Hughes stayed awake as late as she could Monday night, forcing her eyes open. The Basketball Hall of Fame honoree died Jan. 29, 2021, a little more than a week after turning 89. Lemonier signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Liberty University in 2020. Nwaneri drove up from Georgia, police said, and he was at his wifes West Lafayettes house in the 2600 block of Willow Drive when he apparently collapsed, Costello said. "I had a great life, man.". Just a few years later, at age 31, Hoyt played his final MLB season. Get NFL player stats, breaking news & analysis. Tingelhoff died Sept. 11, 2021, ofParkinsons disease with dementia, the New York Times reported. Former NFL player Uchechukwu Nwaneri, who vociferously advocated for mandatory vaccines, died suddenly last Friday, with a coroner reporting he likely suffered a heart attack. During Training Camp of his rookie year, he asked the coaches to release him early if he didnt have a future in football. MIAMI, Fla. (WMBF) NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins died after being reportedly struck by a vehicle in Florida early Saturday. Former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr. may have been going through a manic episode in the days leading up to his arrest and was acting strangely during a recent phone call a few days before he died . (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The news of Demaryius Thomas' death was felt by his peers across the NFL, by both. And though he never made it into a game, he "gave everything he had in workouts, meetings, practice and in life," Sarkisian said. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Titans on December 31, 2018. You cant blame football, she said, adding, I never did.. A career in the pros, from the NFL to the Arena Football League, didn't pan out. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In the pros, he won a Super Bowl with the 1968 New York Jets. Ex-NFL star Irv Cross, who died in 2021, diagnosed with CTE