BMX Legend Dave Mirra and NFL Player Bubba Smith Both Diagnosed With CTE

BMX star Dave Mirra and former NFL pro-bowler, Bubba Smith, were diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), reports revealed on May 24.
BMX Legend Dave Mirra and NFL Player Bubba Smith Both Diagnosed With CTE
Professional motorcyclist Dave Mira arrives at the Inagural 'Arby's Action Sports Awards' held at Center Staging on November 30, 2006 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images); In this December 1967 file photo, Baltimore Colts defensive tackle Bubba Smith walks on a football field, location not known. AP Photo/File
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BMX star Dave Mirra and former NFL pro-bowler, Bubba Smith, were diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), reports revealed on May 24.

Mirra is the first action sports athlete to be diagnosed with CTE, according to ESPN Magazine.

He was the first rider to land a double backflip and to win three gold medals at a single X Games.

Mirra died on Feb. 4, 2016, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 41.

His brain was donated to CTE research at the University of Toronto by his wife Lauren Mirra.

Dr. Lili-Naz Hazrati, the neuropathologist who studied Mirra’s case, said his brain was indistinguishable from those of former football and hockey players with CTE.

“I couldn’t tell the difference,” she told ESPN.

The BMX legend suffered a fractured skull after getting hit by car when he was 19. Mirra suffered countless concussions during his BMX career, and also did some boxing.

Dave Mirra doing a 360 backflip in the Bike Stunt Park competition during the ESPN X-Games on Aug. 7, 2004, in Los Angeles. Mirra finished first. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Dave Mirra doing a 360 backflip in the Bike Stunt Park competition during the ESPN X-Games on Aug. 7, 2004, in Los Angeles. Mirra finished first. Harry How/Getty Images