Report: Former Miami Dolphins star Mark Duper diagnosed with CTE

In recent days, the NFL and concussions have been linked numerous times, and in the middle of the controversy, there is a medical term floating around that could impact many athletes.

According to Bruce Feldman of CBS Sports (and now confirmed by multiple outlets), former Miami Dolphins standout wide receiver Mark Duper has been diagnosed with CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), which is a disease that affects the cognitive function of the people struck by it. While there isn’t a confirmed link between football and CTE in this individual case, the mounting evidence is difficult to ignore.

With that, however, Duper offered this quote to CBS:

"“I don’t have any regrets about playing,” Duper said. “I made a good living off football and I’m still making a living off it. You can’t regret something you enjoyed, something you love and I loved football.”"

It is remarkable (at least to me) how many athletes who have had concussion and/or CTE issues will use this same type of language regarding the “no regrets” culture of playing in the NFL, but that is where we are. Duper was a high-end football player (over 8,800 receiving yards and 59 touchdowns in his career), but that seems inconsequential now, as the focus turns to his long-term health.

There will surely be more information to come on this case, as well as many others, but for now, prayers go out to Duper and his family.