Despite evidence, skeptics try to cast doubt on CTE-football link

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For former Chicago Bears running back Mike Adamle, there is no question that football can lead to brain degeneration.

Two years ago, after nearly two decades of depression, rage and memory loss — all symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE — Adamle, 68, was told by his neurologist that he is almost certainly living with the brain disease.

The NFL acknowledges that there is a link between CTE and playing football. So do researchers. But some steadfast skeptics are still trying to muddy the science and raise questions about the connection, with a fresh wave of doubt cast this summer weeks before the season’s kickoff.

“I don’t think it’s been proven that the game of football causes CTE. We don’t really know that,” Larry Fedora, the University of North Carolina’s head football coach, told reporters in July. “Are there chances for concussions? Of course. There are collisions. But the game is safer than it’s ever been.”

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