His brain had been ravaged by football. Researchers at Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center have determined that the onetime NFL star and Northeast Philadelphia native, who died at age 52 in December 2023,

Frank Wycheck, the NFL tight end best known for throwing the lateral that started the “Music City Miracle” and launched the Tennessee Titans’ run to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl appearance, had stage III chronic traumatic encephalopathy when he died in December 2023 at his Chattanooga home.

Former Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck died at 52 in December. His family revealed he suffered from CTE before his death.