--- description: Researchers recently discovered that former MLB player Ryan Freel suffered from CTE. Read more on our Washington, DC personal injury blog. title: Former MLB Player Ryan Freel Suffered from CTE canonical: https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2013/12/former-mlb-player-ryan-freel-suffered-from-cte/ date_published: 2013-12-18T19:42:00+00:00 date_modified: 2025-11-19T17:33:13+00:00 practice_area: blog --- - Former MLB Player Ryan Freel Suffered from CTE [Back to CSCS Blog](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) # Former MLB Player Ryan Freel Suffered from CTE [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Recent Posts](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) » Former MLB Player Ryan Freel Suffered from CTE [December 18, 2013](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2013/12/18/) - [Brain Injury](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/category/practice-areas/brain-injury/), [Uncategorized](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/category/uncategorized/) Ryan Freel – a former[Major League Baseball](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2013/12/mlb-moves-to-protect-player-safety-by-banning-home-plate-collisions/)utility player who played a majority of his career with the Cincinnati Reds –committed suicide last December. After his death, Freel’s family donated his brain to Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy and Sports Legacy Institute.[Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2018/07/former-football-player-discusses-impact-of-collegiate-career-and-ncaa-concussion-lawsuit/)is a progressive degenerative disease (a type of chronic brain damage) commonly found in individuals who experienced a history of concussions and head injuries. ![Ryan Freel](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/images/ryan-freel.jpg) Freel’s postmortem diagnosis was the first discovered case of CTE in baseball. Many former football players and[contact sport athletes](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2018/07/former-alabama-football-player-discuss-brain-injury-pending-lawsuit-against-ncaa/)have suffered from CTE – most notably Junior Seau, who also committed suicide in 2012. While playing baseball, Freel experienced approximately 9 to 10 reported [concussions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/concussions/), including several severe injuries. Both during his career and after, Freel suffered from random[headaches and pains in his head](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2018/07/former-hockey-players-file-concussion-lawsuit-against-nhl/), as well as loss of attention, difficulty concentrating, depression, and short-term memory loss – all symptoms of CTE. He also sparked interest after it was reported that he talked to an imaginary voice in his head. Both Freel’s family and the MLB were informed of the findings last week. Last week also marked the MLB’s official announcement of a [proposed ban on home plate collisions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2013/12/mlb-moves-to-protect-player-safety-by-banning-home-plate-collisions/). News of Freel’s condition and ongoing scrutiny of head injuries in sports have created new support for the ban and policy changes throughout various sports. Having represented many injured athletes and [brain injury](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/) victims throughout the years, Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. empathizes with Freel’s family and the numerous other victims who have endured these difficult experiences. We extend our support and legal services to all victims and families. For more information about sports-related injuries and concussions, contact a Washington, DC personal injury attorney from our firm. [Contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) by phone at (202) 659-8600 to get started with your personal injury claim. Find Something Interesting? Share This post Facebook X LinkedIn Email Print ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. [Free Consultation](#) #### In This Post ## Contact Us Today! 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