DALLAS, Texas — Former boxing champion Donald Curry is grappling with significant health challenges after being diagnosed with Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES), a condition linked to chronic brain injuries from repeated head impacts.
Curry, a Fort Worth native and two-weight division champion, was diagnosed with TES a few years ago, which has since affected various aspects of his daily life.
Curry, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, earned his place through an exceptional career in the ring. However, his health issues have drawn attention due to the severity of his condition.
According to his son, Donovan Curry, the symptoms his father is experiencing are consistent with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain condition typically caused by repeated head trauma, often seen in athletes from contact sports.
Symptoms of CTE can include impairments in judgment, memory, reasoning, and behavior, with poor impulse control being a notable effect.
As awareness of the condition grows, many former athletes have come forward with similar health struggles, underscoring the potential long-term dangers of contact sports.
Donovan Curry has been actively seeking a treatment facility capable of addressing his father’s complex condition. He has highlighted the difficulties his family faces in finding the appropriate care, emphasizing the challenges many families encounter when trying to access necessary medical support for conditions like CTE.
The boxing community and the broader sports world have shown an outpouring of support for the Curry family, acknowledging Donald Curry’s significant contributions to the sport. His influence in boxing and the impact of his health condition have sparked conversations about the long-term effects of sports-related injuries and the need for better support systems for athletes.
As the Curry family continues to search for a suitable treatment facility, their journey highlights the need for better healthcare resources, ongoing research, and enhanced safety measures for athletes. The story serves as a reminder of the challenges that many former athletes face after their careers end and the lasting impact of their sports-related injuries.