Last December, 26-year-old Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry perished when he was thrown from a truck driven by his girlfriend. Later examination of the young NFL star found extensive brain damage, usually only seen in older players with many years (and concussions) under their belts.

The traumatic brain injury inside the young athlete's head was shocking to doctors.

In fact, Henry is the youngest player ever to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a particular sort of degenerative disease caused exhibited by individuals who have suffered repeated concussions and other head injuries.