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Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mark Duper revealed to CBS Sports he has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) on Friday. CTE is caused by head trauma, including multiple concussions, and is linked to being a cause for other medical issues, including dementia and depression.
According to the report from CBS, Duper learned of his diagnosis on Friday afternoon. He underwent two days of testing at the end of October. Duper is the fourth former NFL player this week to reveal a CTE diagnosis, joining Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett and Joe DeLamielleur and All-Pro Leonard Marshall.
Until recently, CTE testing could only be performed during an autopsy. Linebacker Junior Seau was doscovered to have had the condition from testing conducted after he committed suicide in 2012. According to a Boston University report from around the time of Seau's death, 50 former football players had been discovered to have had the disease at the time of their death. Prior to 2005, CTE was only thought to occur in boxers, but was found in football players at that time.
"I don't have any regrets about playing," Duper told CBS. "I made a good living off football and I'm still making a living off it. You can't regret something you enjoyed, something you love and I loved football."
Duper battled kidney cancer two years ago. The 54-year-old Duper caught 511 passes for 8,869 yards and 59 touchdowns in 11 seasons with the Dolphins. He was selected to three Pro Bowls during his career. He is the Dolphins all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns, and is second in career receptions.
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