Ray Lewis and Ray Lewis III (Photos via Getty Images and Ray Lewis III/Instagram)
Ray Lewis III died with a lethal mix of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in his system, according to autopsy results that were released last year.
It turn out he was suffering from much more during his short time on Earth.
Almost a year after he died of an accidental overdose, the son of the former NFL star with the same name was found to have suffered from CTE, according to a new report from researchers.
The Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) verified in a news statement that Lewis III, 28, had Stage 2 CTE. Lewis was identified by Dr. Ann McKee, the director of the Boston University CTE Center, as having the brain ailment frequently linked to football.
According to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, “CTE can only be diagnosed after death,” which is why this information is coming out now. While they did not know it at the time, researchers “suspected he was battling CTE” after learning that years before his death, the former football player was having issues with his memory, “becoming extremely forgetful, and exhibited erratic, sporadic behavior and impulsivity.”
His mother, Tatyanna McCall, suspected he was battling the disease.
“Little did I know when I put my son in tackle football at age 5, I ran the risk of having to bury him 22 years later,” Tatyana McCall, Lewis’ mother, said, per the release. “I would have done something different now, knowing the risks. We need to wait until our babies are at least 14 to allow them to play tackle football. It also breaks my heart that you have to die to get a diagnosis for this disease.”
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google!Follow Us
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is a neurodegenerative illness that is strongly associated with recurrent head trauma. While a 2019 study by the same group found the odds of developing the disease could increase by up to 30 percent with each year of tackle football played, a 2023 Boston University study found the odds of developing CTE were closely related to the number and strength of hits to the head football players endure throughout their career.
Lewis III played collegiate football at Miami (his father’s alma mater), Coastal Carolina, and Virginia Union before joining the Wyoming Mustangs, an indoor football team. He is survived by his father, mother, three brothers, and two sisters.
“Stories like Ray Ray Lewis’ remind us why we need to accelerate efforts to prevent and treat CTE,” said Dr. Chris Nowinski, CLF co-founder and CEO. “We thank his family for their dedication to research, education, and making football safer. Through brain donation, grieving football families have shown us how to make the sport safer. Now, it is up to us all to act.”
Lewis also spoke on his late son’s diagnosis, saying, “We are proud to honor Ray Ray’s legacy by teaching our youth about football safety while sharing and supporting research on CTE.”
Ray Lewis III’s Autopsy Revealed Mix of Toxic Mix of Drugs That Shockingly Took His Life
Ray Lewis III (Photo via Ray Lewis III/Instagram)Lewis III, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, died in June 2023 of an accidental overdose.A lethal mix of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other drugs killed Lewis III. He was just 28.An autopsy showed Lewis also had alcohol and alprazolam, the generic name for Xanax, in his system.
ESPN Had To Mute Ray Lewis On Live TV After He Was Caught On Hot Mic Making Discriminatory Comment During Pro Bowl (VIDEO)
Ray Lewis might not be invited back to the Pro Bowl.
The Ravens’ legend made sure to leave his mark on this season’s Pro Bowl flag football game.
Ray Lewis earned 12 Pro Bowls as a hard-nosed linebacker. But now, his newest appearance had him leading the defense in a new way. Lewis had a coaching role for the Pro Bowl games in Orlando, Florida.
He was also mic’d up.
At one point during the game, he disagreed with a play and let his feelings out as he blurted out a homophobic term before the broadcast went mute.
Lewis served as the celebrity defensive coordinator for the AFC team, meaning he got to join the AFC coach Peyton Manning for the game.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google!Follow Us
The Pro Bowl Games concluded Sunday with NFC and AFC stars competing in a flag football game that gave fans and a national television audience glimpses of what the soon-to-be Olympic sport.
The NFC defeated the AFC 64-59 at Camping World Stadium.
This was the second year for a reimagined format that replaced the traditional Pro Bowl tackle football game.
