Former NFL Star Frank Wycheck Diagnosed with CTE After Death

Former Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck, who died in December 2023 at age 52, was posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), his family announced Thursday. The degenerative brain disease, linked to repeated head trauma, was confirmed by researchers at Boston University‘s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center.

Wycheck, a three-time Pro Bowler, played 11 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Titans/Oilers franchise. He was found dead in his Chattanooga home on Dec. 9, 2023. His family revealed that he had Stage III CTE, with Stage IV being the most severe form of the disease.

‘Our family is grateful to learn of his confirmed CTE diagnosis in hopes to continue our father’s desire to bring awareness, increased intervention, education, and support for NFL alumni and their families related to CTE,’ said Wycheck’s daughter, Deanna Wycheck Szabo, in a statement. ‘Our hope is that NFL alumni, who believe they are suffering from CTE, will be given the much-needed resources and guidance prior to their symptoms reaching a debilitating state.’

Wycheck is best remembered for his role in the ‘Music City Miracle,’ a legendary play during the 1999-2000 NFL playoffs. On Jan. 8, 2000, with the Titans trailing 16-15 and 16 seconds remaining, Wycheck fielded a kickoff and lateraled the ball to Kevin Dyson, who ran 75 yards for the game-winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.

After retiring in 2003, Wycheck worked as a color commentator for the Titans Radio Network until 2017, when he stepped down due to lingering head issues. His family noted that he struggled with mood swings, impulsivity, and isolation in his post-NFL life, which they now attribute to CTE.

‘My father put his body on the line throughout his career,’ Wycheck Szabo said. ‘He loved the game and even more so loved his teammates. After retirement, he fought for years to bring light to his post-NFL journey and the fears he had around his struggles and symptoms that he knew whole-heartedly was CTE.’

Wycheck’s family hopes his diagnosis will encourage greater awareness and support for former NFL players dealing with CTE. ‘With on-going CTE research and diagnosis’, we hope future NFL alumni and families will be explicitly given an outline and plan of action in receiving care and treatment,’ they said.