Frank Gifford's family reveals former NFL star suffered from CTE

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The late Frank Gifford, the former New York Giants star and 1956 NFL MVP, suffered from the degenerative brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy at the time of his death in August, his family said in a statement Wednesday.

Gifford's family had decided to have his brain studied following his death to study the link between football and brain injuries from repeated head trauma.

"During the last years of his life Frank dedicated himself to understanding the recent revelations concerning the connection between repetitive head trauma and its associated cognitive and behavioral symptoms—which he experienced firsthand," Gifford's family said in the statement. "We miss him every day, now more than ever, but find comfort in knowing that by disclosing his condition we might contribute positively to the ongoing conversation that needs to be had; that he might be an inspiration for others suffering with this disease that needs to be addressed in the present; and that we might be a small part of the solution to an urgent problem concerning anyone involved with football, at any level.

"The Gifford family will continue to support the National Football League and its recent on-field rule changes and procedures to make the game Frank loved so dearly—and the players he advocated so tirelessly for—as safe as possible."

Gifford was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 in honor of his 12-year career with the Giants. He also spent 27 years as an announcer for Monday Night Football.