Doctors: BMX legend Dave Mirra suffered from CTE

BMX icon Dave Mirra died in February, and postmortem investigations have found that Mirra suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. It's the same traumatic brain injury that has afflicted many NFL players, prompting a greater emphasis on safety and education among NFL ranks. CTE's effects can include mood swings, depression, and other neurological maladies.

Mirra, who died on Feb. 4 of a self-inflicted gunshot, is the first action sports athlete to be diagnosed with CTE. He suffered a fractured skull in a car accident at age 19, boxed briefly after retiring from BMX, and suffered multiple concussions while riding.

Mirra's family asked that his brain be studied, and a University of Toronto neuropathologist confirmed CTE and verified it with other doctors.

"It validates what we have been thinking about brain injuries in boxers and football players," Dr. Lili-Naz Hazrati said. "The key is brain injury. Regardless of how you get it, through BMX or hockey, you are at risk for this."

Mirra's wife Laura noted the changes in her husband in the months before his death, telling ESPN: The Magazine, "I started to notice changes in his mood. And then it quickly started to get worse. He wasn't able to be present in any situation or conversation, so it was hard to be in a relationship with him to any degree. He was lost." Lauren Mirra hopes that one day CTE will be able to be detected prior to death, and that treatment and prevention protocols can be designed accordingly.

Numerous NFL players have been found to suffer from CTE, and the league's players' association is working to find solutions and settlements to fund treatment of still-living former players.

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports and the author of EARNHARDT NATION, on sale now at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.