Brady urges players to educate themselves about CTE

Tom Brady is the latest NFL player to speak about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - and perhaps the highest-profile player to date.

"It's a very important topic," the New England Patriots quarterback told ABC News on Monday while promoting a new mattress for which he's a spokesman. "If you are going to put yourself kind of in the line of fire, so to speak, you better educate yourself."

Earlier this offseason, NFL chief security officer Jeffrey B. Miller admitted there's a link between CTE and football, the first such admission by an NFL official. Only a week later, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said it's "absurd" to suggest a link between football and CTE.

Brady didn't comment on the veracity of such a connection, but urged his fellow players to educate themselves.

"I think there's been more awareness from the general media on what CTE is, how it affects you, the long-term ramifications of it," the four-time Super Bowl champion said. "I think, as an athlete, you have to take all those things into consideration and try to be as proactive as you can. Gain information, then go through the proper protocols if you do get a concussion."

Brady made it clear he believes awareness of CTE should extend beyond football.

"It's just part of life, you know, not only football, but contact sports," Brady added. "It's part of people walking down the street. You run, you fall, you hit your head. There's a lot of sports that are involved, but I think it's good there's more awareness than there's been in the past. (Women's) soccer and cycling, water polo, there's a lot of sports."

Brady gave no indication that concern over concussions or CTE will cause him to leave the game of football.

"You'd hate to stop doing something you love to do 'cause of an injury," he said. "I'm someone that's a proponent, yeah, keep doing what you love to do, but treat your body the right way and then you'll be able to continue doing it.

"I believe quality over quantity, so play football and love doing that, then take good care of yourself and afterwards, hopefully try to live a great life."