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Report: Deceased linebacker Belcher likely had CTE

Charles LeClaire / US PRESSWIRE

Former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher was likely suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy at the time of his death.

The Kansas City Star reports that a post-mortem analysis of Belcher's body revealed the 25-year-old's brain showed signs of CTE, a degenerative disease that has been linked to depression, dementia and aggressive behaviors. 

Belcher died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in December 2012 after killing girlfriend Kasanda Perkins. 

Repeated head trauma, such as that experienced by some football players, is believed to be a factor in causing CTE.

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