Former NFL running back Larry Johnson believes he may be living with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Though CTE can currently only be confirmed after death, Johnson said in an interview with the Washington Post that he has similar symptoms that other players had who were diagnosed with CTE.
Larry Johnson, the former NFL running back, believes he’s living with CTE — explaining his paranoia, anxiety and the occasional urge to throw himself off a building. When the demons push him to the edge, there’s only one voice that can bring him back.https://t.co/u0WLQThe9y
— Kent Babb (@kentbabb) December 12, 2017
Johnson describes “demons” that try to get him to jump from rooftops. Johnson said:
“One is telling you to do it; one is telling you don’t. One is telling you it’d be fun.”
Johnson, who was a runner-up to the Heisman while at Penn State, was drafted 27th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2003 NFL Draft. He was selected to two Pro Bowls and spent some time with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Washington Redskins, and the Miami Dolphins.
Johnson’s time with the Chiefs was cut short due to multiple arrests on assault charges. Johnson last played in an NFL game during the 2011 season.
Johnson also claims that he cannot remember two full seasons of playing in the NFL. He has created a time capsule for his daughter so she can see how well he played.
“If I can’t remember who I was, I’ve got YouTube; I’ve got music videos that I’m making for myself, so when I watch these things I can remember. I’m trying to get these things in order so she knows who I am and what I came from.”
CTE is a concern many around the league are trying to raise awareness for. A recent study found that a vast majority of former players had CTE. The league says it is working on a solution to help protect players, but for many, the damage could already be too much.
