Is Mike Webster Living or Dead?

About Mike Webster

Mike Webster: The Tragic Hero of American Football

Mike Webster was a legendary American football player, born on March 18, 1952, in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. He was a center for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1974 to 1988 and the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989. Webster was a four-time Super Bowl champion and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

However, Webster's life was not all glory and fame. He suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Webster's condition was so severe that he experienced memory loss, depression, and even homelessness.

Webster's story was chronicled in the 2015 film "Concussion," starring Will Smith. The film portrayed the NFL's attempts to cover up the link between football and brain damage, and Webster's tragic decline.

Webster's family filed a lawsuit against the NFL, which resulted in a settlement of $765 million for retired players suffering from brain injuries. The settlement also included a commitment from the NFL to fund research into CTE and other brain injuries.

Despite his tragic end, Webster's legacy as a football player remains untarnished. He was known for his toughness and dedication to the game, and his contributions to the Steelers' success will never be forgotten.

In the words of former Steelers teammate Terry Bradshaw, "Mike Webster was the best center who ever played the game. He was the heart and soul of our offensive line, and he was a great friend and teammate. He will be missed."

References:

1. "Mike Webster." Pro Football Hall of Fame. https://www.profootballhof.com/players/mike-webster/

2. "Concussion." IMDB. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3322364/

3. "NFL concussion settlement: What you need to know." CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/25/us/nfl-concussion-settlement-explainer-trnd/index.html