Dolphins Legend Nick Buoniconti Donating His Brain To Science

Nick Buoniconti, the Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker and former Boston Patriot and Miami Dolphin, has pledged his brain after his death to research on concussions.

Buoniconti signed the pledge at a press conference at Boston University School of Medicine Friday (11/03) that he pledges his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation to be studied at Boston Unveristy and VA Boston Healthcare researchers upon his death.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), according to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma. In CTE, a protein called Tau forms clumps that slowly spread throughout the brain, killing brain cells.

Buoniconti was a member of the Miami Dolphins’ 1972 Superbowl Championship team.

The 76-year old former linebacker told Sports Illustrated earlier this years that he’s struggling with neurological and cognitive problems and sometimes feels “lost” or “like a child”.