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View Full Version : Early Case of NFL Brain Disease Passes Away at Age 69



MSpecht
06-24-2012, 01:39 PM
Former San Diego State, Pittsburgh Steeler, and San Diego Charger offensive lineman Ralph Wenzel passed away on June 18 of complications from brain disease and dementia following a 18-year battle that left him institutionalized the past 6 years. A fraternity brother of mine at San Diego State, Ralph was one of the really good guys. His tragic story can be found at the link below, following a brief overview.


"A guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Diego Chargers from 1966 to 1973, and later a successful teacher and coach, Mr. Wenzel began having significant memory lapses and other cognitive problems in 1995 at the age of 52. Those symptoms worsened to the point that he could no longer work, communicate or feed himself; he began living in a home for dementia patients in 2006 at 63.
At reunions, Ms. Perfetto, who has a Ph.D. in public health, had met other retired NFL players experiencing similar problems. When a debate over football's long-term impact on brain function began making national news soon after Mr. Wenzel was institutionalized, Ms. Perfetto forcefully held out her husband as an example of football's costs to both its players and the families left caring for them."


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/obituaries/obituary-ralph-wenzel-former-guard-for-steelers-641766/#ixzz1yjirEq6k