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."

Here's noontime coverage from WZZM-TV

Former D2 Star QB Finnerty Missing (UPDATED: Finnerty Found Dead)

((HT: WZZM-TV))

The Grand Valley State University football team has sent 38 members- staff, players, and supporters- to a northern Michigan campground to aide in the search for former GVSU QB Cullen Finnerty.

Lake County (MI) Police say he called his wife and in-laws to come and pick him up and that he sounded scared over the weekend. When they got to the place where Finnerty was to meet them, they found his pontoon boat along with some fishing equipment- and that was all. County Sheriff Robert Hilts told the Ludington (MI) Daily News Finnerty had a "nervous episode" and ran into the woods.

From Brian Mulherin's piece:

"He went fishing last night and suffered some kind of a nervous episode and went running off into the woods," Hilts said.

Finnerty was the quarterback of the Grand Valley State Lakers, leading the team to three national championships in 2003, 2005, and 2006. He also had a cup of coffee with the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL.

Here's the early story from Grand Rapids

An early Tuesday press conference by local officials gave info that the search has been narrowed to an area where Finnerty's cell phone had been tracked.

PM UPDATE: Finnerty's former football coach has told local media that the authorities have found Finnerty dead near the river where he was fishing.

More when we know more...