Hernandez brain had substantial damage

Former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez suffered substantial damage to parts of the brain that affect memory, judgment and behavior from the most severe case of a degenerative disease linked to head blows ever found in someone so young, a researcher said.

Dr. Ann McKee, director of Boston University’s CTE Center, stressed she could not “connect the dots” between the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy and the behavior of the 27-year-old who hanged himself in April while serving life in prison for murder.

But McKee said CTE had significantly affected key parts of Hernandez’s brain, including the hippocampus — which is associated with memory — and the frontal lobe, which is involved in impulse control, judgment and behavior.

A video review of 459 reported concussions sustained during the last two NFL seasons has found far more occurred on passing plays than any other plays.

Yet quarterbacks ranked at the bottom of the list, ahead of only kickers, having suffered 5% of those concussions.

Cornerback and wide receiver,led the list of frequency at 22% and 15%, respectively.

The review was overseen by Dr. Jeff Crandall, chairman of the NFL’s Engineering Committee and director of the Center for Applied Biomechanics at the University of Virginia.

Patton Kizzire ran off six straight birdies in the middle of his round for a career-low nine-under 62 and a twoshot lead in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

Ashleigh Buhai shot a four-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Blue Bay LPGA tournament in Hainan, China.

Police say they believe they have found the gun used to kill former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, whose body was found in a swampy field in Tennessee seven years ago.

Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd was fined $15,000 by the NBA for public criticism of the officiating in a loss at Cleveland.

Yuzuru Hanyu has pulled out of the NHK Trophy in Osaka, Japan, after injuring his ankle in practice, a setback that could have a serious impact on his preparations for an Olympic figure skating title defense. Hanyu withdrew a day after falling while attempting a quadruple lutz in practice.

The U.S. women’s national team played Canada to a 1-1 tie in front of a sellout crowd of 28,017 in Vancouver, Canada. Alex Morgan scored for the U.S.

Joe Fortunato, a linebacker who helped the Chicago Bears win the 1963 NFL title, has died at 87.

In 12 seasons with the Bears, Fortunato was All-Pro three times.