The mysterious and tragic death of legendary Grand Valley State University quarterback Cullen Finnerty was due to complications from pneumonia due to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition that is related to multiple concussions, WBBZ reported.
Finnerty's body was found in a wooded area in May two days after he disappeared while on a solo fishing trip.
The three-time Division II national champion often complained of headaches and issues sleeping, according to a New York Times report in June.
"For real serious concussions, I'd have to guess and say maybe four or five," his younger brother, Brendan, told the Times. "But realistically, it was probably dozens. You know, football. Hard impacts to the head."
His family told the Times in June that they did not want to blame football for their son's death, but his death is just one of the many of former football players that has sparked a debate and concern over brain damage possibly caused by the sport. It also comes as the NCAA is facing a lawsuit over head injuries.
"Some people like to speculate," Finnerty's father, Tim Sr., told the Times at the time. "This and that. This and that. It’s meaningless. I come in the door at his home, and I see his son, and he's looking for his daddy. I lost my son. My wife lost her son. It's devastating."
According to the report, the medical examiner also believes a build-up of Oxycodone, a painkiller, played a role in Finnerty's death.
