News
NFL notebook: Wife says Tatupu had CTE
An examination of former New England Patriots running back Mosi Tatupu’s brain showed signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy that is linked to head injuries, his ex-wife said.
Tatupu died of a heart attack in 2010 at age 54, but last year his former wife, Linnea Garcia-Tatupu, learned that some brain tissue was preserved from the autopsy and she offered it to the Boston University CTE Center, which conducts research on the brains of former athletes.
Tatupu’s brain tissue showed a buildup of tau, a protein, that was consistent with CTE.
His son, Lofa Tatupu, also played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks from 2005 to 2010.
“If I knew then what I know now, would I have encouraged Mosi’s dream? Would I have encouraged Lofa’s dream?” Garcia-Tatupu told The Boston Globe. “I wouldn’t have. The risk is not worth the reward.”
Garcia-Tatupu said her husband’s behavior changed during the end of his playing days and led to drinking, forgetfulness and ultimately a divorce after a 20-year marriage.
–Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch did only what was required at Tuesday’s media day.
He flashed a smile at a throng of reporters and then proceeded to say “I’m just here so I don’t get fined” 21 times before exiting his podium seat at exactly the five-minute mark that satisfied his league-mandated obligation.
–Rob Chudzinski spent one year as head coach of the Cleveland Browns before being fired and landing in Indianapolis as a special assistant to head coach Chuck Pagano.
The Colts have now locked up the 46-year-old Chudzinski and named him associate head coach.
–Former Denver Broncos head coach Wade Phillips is back in Denver interviewing for the Broncos defensive coordinator job.
Phillips, who also was the head coach in Buffalo and Dallas, was the defensive coordinator from 2011-13 in Texas under new Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak.
–Former All-Pro safety Darren Sharper, who is facing charges that he drugged and raped two women, is scheduled to appear in a California court on Feb. 17.
Sharper has been in custody in Los Angeles County since last February. He is being held without bond.
–The New York Jets have hired Tennessee Titans assistant wide receivers coach Kevin Patullo to join the staff as quarterbacks coach, according to multiple reports.
–A fire alarm went off at the New England Patriots’ hotel around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday and sounded for about 10 minutes, according to the NFL Network. According to an NFL spokesman, the front desk called the alarm “an anomaly.”
There was no fire.
–The Oakland Raiders added four assistants to their coaching staff. Joining new coach Jack Del Rio are Bobby Johnson (tight ends), Rob Moore (wide receivers), Bernie Parmalee (running backs) and Tracy Smith (assistant special teams).
–Clint Hurtt will remain with the Chicago Bears as their outside linebackers coach, the team announced.
Hurtt served as a defensive line assistant last year on the staff of former coach Marc Trestman, who was fired after the season and replaced this month by John Fox.
News
Buccaneers admit mistake, boot Aguayo
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico
News
Did Bucs put too much pressure on Aguayo?
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico
News
Broncos holding their breath on Derek Wolfe
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico