Finnerty Autopsy Reveals CTE

((HT: WOOD-TV Grand Rapids))

Autopsy results for former Grand Valley State University quarterback Cullen Finnerty revealed that he died of pneumonia, complicated by oxycodone toxicity, and CTE. Finnerty, a champion QB for the Lakers in Division II, was found May 28th- two days after he had been dropped off by his in-laws to go fishing.

His last contact with his family was late in the evening of the 26th when he called his wife and told her he was feeling "nervous, afraid and might have been experiencing some paranoia."

Finnerty's brain had been examined by the doctors at Boston University's CTE institute where they found he had Stage II/IV CTE.

Stage II sufferers are likely to experience headaches, depression, explosivity and short-term memory loss while Stage IV are likely to experience dementia, difficulty finding words and aggression.

The oxycodone was prescribed for back injuries Finnerty most likely received during his football career

According to Dr. Stephen Cohle's report, Finnerty "likely suffered anxiety, disorientation and paranoia from being alone in the woods while he waited for his family to pick him up after his solo fishing trip. The medical examiner believes he then became incapacitated and inhaled vomit, which caused pneumonia."

Grand Valley State released the following statement:

"Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family of Cullen Finnerty.

Only one time during his collegiate play at Grand Valley did Cullen suffer a concussion which was determined to be mild. He was removed from the game shortly after halftime and did not play again that day. He was thoroughly checked by doctors and later cleared for play in a subsequent game."

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