Researchers claim that prior to his death, former NFL star Frank Wycheck was diagnosed with CTE.

Researchers said that Frank Wycheck, who is known for the pass that initiated the "Music City Miracle," suffered from an advanced stage of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

In December 2023, Wycheck passed away after falling at his Tennessee home. Despite his tragic end, he had expressed a desire to collaborate with experts on CTE research and brain injuries.

Researchers at Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center found that Wycheck, a former Tennessee Titans star tight end, suffered from the degenerative brain disease during the final years of his life.

Wycheck has been diagnosed with CTE stage III, which is the least severe form of the disease. However, stage IV is the most severe and can result in dementia, memory loss, and depression. The Mayo Clinic states that CTE can be caused by repeated head injuries, including concussions and blows to the head.

In 2017, a study by the Boston University CTE Center found that 99% of former NFL players had traces of a neurodegenerative disease. The study examined the brains of 202 former football players.

From 1993 to 2003, Wycheck, a three-time Pro Bowl tight end, played in the NFL with Washington and the Houston Oilers, which later moved to Tennessee and became the Titans.

Wycheck's family expressed gratitude for his diagnosis, stating that it underscores the need for greater attention to CTE in contact sports such as football. They plan to honor his legacy by increasing their commitment to player safety and supporting those affected by head injuries.

Wycheck's daughters said their family struggled to comprehend the physical and mental changes he was undergoing, believing he was simply yearning for the limelight of his profession.

"Deanna Wycheck Szabo stated that she observed her father's isolation and mood swings intensify as he became more impulsive, inconsistent, and unreliable. In retrospect, she recognizes that he was experiencing the symptoms of CTE resulting from the repeated trauma he sustained during his 11 seasons in the NFL."

Szabo stated that Wycheck was passionate about football and his teammates. She revealed that he battled for years after retiring to raise awareness about the symptoms and difficulties he experienced due to CTE, feeling overlooked and powerless. Additionally, Szabo expressed her regret that her family was not educated on CTE symptoms, allowing them to recognize and address them in a timely manner. She now hopes for increased intervention, education, and support for NFL alumni and their families.

"We now know that he was doing the best he could as a father and friend under circumstances beyond his control, instead of believing that something was inherently wrong with him," Szabo said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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