Chris Benoit Had Brain Damage
A thorough examination of Chris Benoit's brain has revealed that he indeed had been suffering from brain damage prior to his death.
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Michael Benoit Quotes
Michael Benoit (the father of Chris Benoit) had this to say about his son and his untimely death.
"First we needed an understanding. The person that did this is not the man we know and love.
I was grasping for anything. The world was very black. I mean, we didn't even know how to deal with this.
Bascially, once the findings came out and I had the opportunity to talk to the doctors, we certainly had an understanding of what could have contributed to the tragedy that took place that day."
When asked what message Chris Benoit's other two children can take from the findings, Michael Benoit had the following to say.
"...their dad loved [them] dearly and what happened wasn't his fault."
Healing
Based on his statements, Michael Benoit is obviously looking for something to help ease the pain of his loss.
Unless you've been in his shoes, you can't really blame the man for trying to do so. |
Julian Bailes Quotes
Julian Bailes is the head of neurosurgery at West Virginia University and a specialist at the Sports Legacy Institute. He conducted testing on Chris Benoit's brains to determine if he had brain damage.
Test results have shown that Chris Benoit's brain was so damaged that it was compared to the brain of an 85 year old Alzheimer's patient. Julian Bailes believes that the damage was the result of years of wrestling.
"There is a constant theme in the failure of their personal lives, their business lives, depression and then ultimately suicide.
(Brain damage) was extensive throughout Chris' brain. This is something you should never see in a 40-year-old. Our research shows that three concussions may be the threshold for lasting damage.
We think these changes are not due to steroids. That has never really been studied, but it's never been in the medical literature or any research that shows steroids do this to the brain. These changes [in the brain] were found in the 1920s before steroids were even invented."
Chris Nowinski
Reports have stated that Michael Benoit was approached by a wrestler who suggested that Chris Benoit's brain be examined. That wrestler is believe to have been Chris Nowinski, who has done extensive research on the effects of concussion. Chris Nowinski's wrestling career was cut short by effects from concussions.
Closing Thoughts
It's human nature to be blinded by emotion, but it's just irresponsible for people to not change their opinions a bit after reading that Chris Benoit had brain damage.
It doesn't excuse what he did, but it does shed some more light on the situation. |
