Former Lions running back Mel Farr had Stage 3 CTE at time of 2015 death

Doctors who examined the brain of Mel Farr have concluded that the former Detroit Lions running back had Stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy at the time of his death in 2015, ESPN's Outside the Lines reports.

Farr, a first-round pick in the 1967 draft, played seven years in the NFL, all with the Lions. He suited up for 69 games over that stretch, recording 3,072 rushing yards, 1,374 receiving yards, and 36 total touchdowns.

Following his sudden death in August 2015, coming at the age of 70 due to a heart attack, Farr's family donated his brain and spinal cord to the Boston University School of Medicine.

"Mr. Farr had Stage 3 CTE, which is consistent with other football players of similar age and exposure," Dr. Ann McKee, director of Boston University's CTE Center, told Outside the Lines.

"At Stage 3, the disease is widespread, but most severe in the frontal lobes as well as the medial temporal lobes, specifically the hippocampus, which plays a critical role in forming new memories, and the amygdala, which governs emotion. Mr. Farr had symptoms consistent with other Stage 3 cases, including memory problems, significant personality change, and behavioral symptoms. His family noted that Mr. Farr was aware of, and frustrated by, his decline."

Farr is the latest in a long line of former players found to have suffered from CTE after their playing careers came to an end. Along with several family members who also spent time in the NFL, including his brother, Miller, sons Mel Jr. and Mike, as well as his cousin, Jerry LeVias, Mel had joined a class action lawsuit against the league prior to his death.

"We were never told the lifelong effects of the multiple jarring and hits in the NFL," Mike Farr said.