WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley to donate brain for CTE research
Following a wrestling career full of the biggest bumps imaginable and more chair shots than can be counted, Mick Foley plans on donating his brain for scientific purposes after his death.
The WWE legend took to Twitter last week to announce his choice to donate his brain to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) research, explaining that former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski - founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation - convinced him:
I actually am donating my brain to science! @ChrisNowinski1 talked me into donating it to https://t.co/HJ5DTJ6npK https://t.co/OJ1EF5gIzZ
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) March 16, 2016
Commonly linked to athletes, CTE is a progressive degenerative disease found in people who have experienced repetitive head trauma from high-impact blows.
The 50-year-old former world champion and best-selling author clarified Sunday that he was somewhat of a pioneer by initially deciding to donate his brain in 2010:
Small correction: I think they are joining me. I signed the papers, donating my brain in 2010. https://t.co/0Le8X1rsHB
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) March 20, 2016
He's been joined recently by former WWE champion Jeff Hardy and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash, who both said recently they would donate their brains to the cause.