Bobby Hull, a two-time Hart Trophy winner, has been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The announcement was made by the Concussion Legacy foundation along with Hull’s widow, Deborah.
Hull Diagnosed With CTE
Hull died in January of 2023. Following his passing, the family donated his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at Boston University’s CTE Center. Following Hull’s diagnosis, that is now 18 of 19 former NHL players who have been posthumously diagnosed with CTE after donating their brain to the center.
Hull was diagnosed with Stage 2 CTE. The disease has four stages. Hull’s widow reported to the CLF that Hull struggled with short-term memory loss and impaired judgment over the last 10 years of his life.
Hull is the second player in less than a year to be posthumously diagnosed with CTE. Greg Johnson, who won a silver medal at the 1994 Olympics, committed suicide in 2019 and was diagnosed last summer.
The Golden Jet
Nicknamed “the Golden Jet”, Hull is one of the most iconic players in hockey history. Wearing the number nine in honour of fellow legend Gordie Howe, Hull scored 610 goals in his 16-year NHL career, including 77 goals in the 1974-75 season. In addition to his two Hart Trophies, Hull won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1961.
Will the NHL Finally Acknowledge CTE?
To date, the NHL and commissioner Gary Bettman have refused to acknowledge the link between hockey and repetitive blows to the head and CTE. They are one of the last professional sports leagues to not acknowledge CTE. They have stated that they believe more research is needed.
However, things could change soon. Of all the players who have been diagnosed with CTE, Hull has the biggest hockey resume. That may gather enough attention for the NHL to finally admit the connection. Of course, the acknowledgement will be long overdue, but it would be a step in the right direction.
Main Photo: David Banks- Imagn Images
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