Sportscaster, former Bear Mike Adamle says he has dementia

Mike Adamle, a former NFL running back who went on to a long career as a Chicago and national sportscaster, says he has dementia.

Mike Adamle, a former NFL running back who went on to a long career as a Chicago and national sportscaster, says he has dementia.

Adamle, 67, acknowledged memory lapses and mood swings in an interview with NBC 5 colleague Peggy Kusinski that aired Tuesday. He also says tests in January showed he likely has chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head. CTE cannot be confirmed until after death.

It shook my world," Adamle said of his struggle. "It just got kind of a little bit worse sometimes every day."

Adamle went on leave from his job as a sports anchor for WMAQ nearly a year ago and can no longer work or drive.

Part Two of the extensive interview will air Wednesday night on the 10 p.m. newscast.

Adamle starred at Northwestern and played for the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Chicago Bears. He held local and national broadcasting jobs with NBC and ABC and co-hosted the syndicated American Gladiators show.