Druski’s ‘CTE’ skit triggers fierce backlash from NFL stars, with Michael Redd warning ‘leave football alone’
A study published in the British Medical Journal found that, among 878 former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021, 235 donated their brains for research and 215 were found to have CTE. Because most players did not have their brains examined, that gives a minimum estimate of 24.5 percent, while researchers said the possible range was 24.5 percent to 97.7 percent. CTE can only be confirmed after death, making the exact rate difficult to know.
Ward said on the Speakeasy podcast: “I think CTE – universally – is the only disease it’s allowed to be made fun of, which is crazy. Druski’s ‘CTE’ skit triggers fierce backlash from NFL stars, with Michael Redd warning ‘leave football alone’Druski is facing backlash from NFL players over a skit that appears to make light of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repeated head impacts. The comedian plays an NFL running back who suffers a hit, shows signs linked to concussion, and later struggles with memory and anger. Former NFL safety T.J. Ward called out the skit on the Speakeasy podcast, while former Bears guard Kyle Long and ex-NBA All-Star Michael Redd criticized it. The backlash comes days after a new study highlighted how common CTE was among deceased former NFL players. You wouldn’t make fun of somebody with cancer, with dementia, with AIDS. You wouldn’t make fun of anyone with these diseases that are taking lives. But for some reason… people that have the effects of collisions and CTE symptoms are the only people that are allowed to be made fun of. The criticism lands as new research puts fresh attention on CTE.