BOSTON (AP) — The legacy of Conrad Dobler, a former NFL player known as “Pro Football’s Dirtiest Player” in the 1970s, was recently revealed through an autopsy. Dobler, a tough offensive lineman who embraced the violent nature of the sport, had his family disclose that he suffered from an advanced stage of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease associated with concussions and repetitive head injuries prevalent in football and other contact sports.
Dobler’s daughter, Erin Lewin, who took care of him until his passing two years ago, expressed how his love for football came at a cost to his body, mind, and relationships. She found a sense of closure in his CTE diagnosis, as it helped explain the neurological and behavioral challenges Dobler faced, impacting not only him but also his loved ones.
Despite being a three-time Pro Bowl selection who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as the Saints and Bills, Dobler was unapologetic about his reputation as a dirty player. However, in his later years, he expressed a desire to make the game safer. In 2010, he pledged to donate his brain to researchers at the Boston University CTE Center, leading to the discovery of his cortical sparing CTE posthumously.
Dan Dierdorf, a fellow Cardinals lineman and Pro Football Hall of Famer, mourned Dobler’s decline due to the disease. Dobler’s struggle with memory loss, depression, and behavioral changes served as a poignant reminder of the toll that repeated head trauma can take on athletes, veterans, and others. The prevalence of CTE among former NFL players highlighted the urgency for improved disability benefits and research participation.
Dobler’s family, through the Concussion Legacy Foundation, encourages current and retired football players to engage in research during their lifetime and consider pledging their brains for study upon their passing. The revelation of Dobler’s CTE diagnosis sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by athletes and underscores the importance of advancing player safety in sports.
