Parker Cantey

The family of Parker Cantey, a former Syracuse football linebacker who passed away this week, plans to donate his brain for research.

(Photo By Frank Ordonez)

Syracuse, N.Y. — The family of Parker Cantey, a former Syracuse football linebacker who passed away this week, plans to donate his brain for research.

Parker Cantey's father, Ray, said Thursday the family intends to donate the brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation in Boston, where it will be tested for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated trauma that has been found in dozens of former football players across all levels.

"I was watching some of the things with these other football players, even though they were on the professional level, just to see what kind of an effect it will have on a person," Ray Cantey said. "You get hit out there, and you get hit and you get hit."

Ray Cantey said Parker suffered a Grade 3 concussion during a high school game in which he was taken to the hospital. A Grade 3 concussion is classified as severe and involves loss of consciousness.

Cantey's father did not know if Parker suffered any concussions during his three years at Syracuse or during his time playing semi-pro football in Brooklyn after he left the university in 2009.

Parker Cantey, 28, died Tuesday. He was found unconscious by the mother of his 2-year-old daughter in her Brooklyn residence. Parker had been dealing with a headache and back pain before his passing, according to the family. An autopsy report is pending.

He played at Syracuse from 2006-08, redshirting as a freshman and playing mostly as a reserve. He made 39 tackles (two for loss) in 23 games.

Funeral information was also released Thursday:

Where: Lawrence H. Woodward Funeral Home: 1 Troy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213

When: Viewing will be held 2-7 p.m. Feb. 25; service will be held 10 a.m. Feb. 26.

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