Thomas McHale
Former NFL player
Died at age 45
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Tom McHale died in 2008 at age 45 from a drug overdose. Mr. McHale, Cornell University graduate, was a successful restaurateur and husband and father of three boys. He was the sixth former NFL player to be diagnosed post-mortem with CTE.
Figure 3: Thomas McHale brain tissue
Top left: Whole mount section of neocortex immunostained for tau protein showing extensive deposition of tau protein as neurofibrillary tangles throughout the neocortex
Bottom left: High magnification photomicrograph of neocortex howing innumerable tau immunoreactive neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil neurites
Top right: Whole mount section of amygdala immunostained for tau protein showing dense, patchy deposition of tau protein
Bottom right: High magnification photomicrograph showing tau immunoreactive neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil neurites in the amygdale
Figure 4: Thomas McHale brain tissue
Top left: Whole mount section of inferior orbital cortex immunostained for tau protein showing dense, patchy deposition of tau protein
Bottom left: High magnification photomicrograph sof inferior orbital cortex howing numerous tau immunoreactive neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil neurite
Top right: Whole mount section of hippocampus and temporal cortex immunostained for tau protein showing dense, patchy deposition of tau protein
Bottom right: High magnification photomicrograph showing numerous tau immunoreactive neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil neurites in the hippocampus
Read more about Thomas McHale
New York Times | Sixth N.F.L. Player’s Brain Is Found to Have Damage
Press Release | Boston University School of Medicine announces New Findings Linking Football and Progressive Brain Damage