Former Hawkeye football player Tyler Sash suffered from the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or C.T.E.

Chris Nowinski of the Boston University-affiliated Concussion Legacy Foundation confirmed the diagnosis on Tuesday night. Representatives told his family Sash had an advanced stage rarely seen in someone his age.

The 27-year-old Sash was found dead in his home in Oskaloosa September 8th.

Sash's mother Barnetta Sash donated his brain to be tested for C.T.E., which can be diagnosed only after death. It has been found in the brains of dozens of former football players. Linked to repeated brain trauma, it is associated with symptoms such as memory loss, impaired judgment, depression, and, eventually, progressive dementia.

Sash played football at Oskaloosa High School before playing for the University of Iowa from 2007 - 2010. He started 37 games there and earned first team all-Big Ten honors his final season. He left Iowa with a year of eligibility remaining and was a 6th round N.F.L. draft pick for the New York Giants in 2011. While playing for New York he suffered at least two concussions. He was cut by the Giants in 2012.

In October, an autopsy by the state medical examiner revealed Sash died from a fatal mixture of prescription painkillers. They included methadone and hydrocodone. The report also noted C.T.E. may have been involved in his death.

The report shows Sash suffered bouts of confusion, memory loss and minor fits of temper.

The New York Times spoke to Barnetta Sash. They quoted her as saying the results "make sense" when it comes to what was happening to Tyler Sash. "The part of the brain that controls impulses, decision-making and reasoning was damaged badly."