Maybe wrestling fans finally have an answer to why one of the favorites unexpectedly freaked out. Beloved WWE Superstar Chris Benoit shocked the wrestling world when he killed his wife, son, and then took his own life earlier this year. People wanted to blame it on steroids – roid rage as it is called. But, after the tragedy happened, I read a news blurb from a former wrestler who said he thought it was brain damage brought about by repeated concussions. I only read that one article on that theory, but now it seems as if it may be true.
The Sport Legacy Institute has done research on Benoit’s brain tissue and said that number of dead or damaged brain cells was “shocking.” Dr. Julian Bailes, who is the chairman of neurosurgery at West Virginia’s School of Medicine, said that the damage to Benoit’s brain (known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE) was something that should never be seen in a 40 year old person. He even speculated that the trauma Benoit had received from wrestling was the leading cause of his violence.
The study of Benoit’s brain tissue was approved by his father, Michael. He has said that the tragedy was not committed by the man the family knew and loved. Dr. Bailes said that as few as three major concussions could cause serious damage. Michael Benoit has said his son suffered several concussions yet WWE officials have said they found no medical records of Chris suffering from any concussions. But have you ever watched WWE? The wrestlers are constantly tossed through the air and often hit in the head with chairs, tables, and belts. I know it is fake, but accidents will happen.
Dr. Robert Cantu has done research into the long-term effects of a concussion and he believes that damage in the range of Benoit’s could have caused depression and irrational behavior. Benoit would not be the first athlete to have had problems due to concussions. Doctors have studied the brains of professional football players Mike Webster, Terry Long, Andre Waters, and Justin Strzelczyk. Each was dead by the age of 50 and all suffered from similar psychological and behavioral patterns. Their brains showed they all had CTE and two of the players, Long and Waters, committed suicide. Webster died of a heart attack, but before his death, he showed signs of dementia and depression. Strzelczyk was killed in a wreck at the age of 36. He was driving 100 miles an hour on the wrong side of the road. He led police on a 40-mile chase before colliding with a tractor-trailer truck that was carrying hazardous materials. He had been telling relatives that he was hearing voices from “the evil ones.”
While the research is pointing to the fact that perhaps Chris Benoit was a good guy who just suffered from extreme problems due to head trauma, the WWE issued a statement saying that to blame the tragedy on concussions is “speculative.” But you have to wonder.