Expert Links Football Heading to Brain Disease in Former Player's Death

An expert has connected heading a football to a progressive brain disease after an inquest into the death of former Scotland defender Frank McQueen, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2023 at the age of 70. The inquest, held in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, concluded with a verdict on Monday.

According to BBC Sport, neuropathologist Professor Willi Stewart from Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow examined McQueen's brain and identified chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in multiple areas, with torn membranes within the brain. Professor Stewart stated that CTE significantly contributed to McQueen's death and explained that the condition results from repeated head impacts, specifically in football.

Symptoms of CTE include cognitive decline and neurobehavioral changes that progress and cannot be explained by other conditions. These symptoms are typical among professional football and rugby players with long playing careers, with defenders facing a higher risk due to frequent head impacts.