Former NFL Player Mike Adamle Shares His Struggle With Traumatic Brain Injury | Megyn Kelly TODAY

Megyn Kelly TODAY welcomes Mike Adamle, a former NFL player who has epilepsy and symptoms consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative condition now believed to be caused by repeated blows to the head. “Our life was chaotic,” says his wife Kim, who divorced him but is now back together with him.
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Former NFL Player Mike Adamle Shares His Struggle With Traumatic Brain Injury | Megyn Kelly TODAY

[@JohnDoe-gk7ok]

This makes me feel bad for mocking him while he was in WWE. It explains why he made mistakes like he did.

[@TheAazah]

Wwe didn't know.

[@xboxxguy_9360]

Well I remember back when he was on commentary/gm role back in 2008 I too was mocking him 😓😓 I feel horrible now...

[@julianrender8212]

The irony is most WWE superstars have CTE too. Look at Chris Benoit.

[@YoungBloodGinger]

@@julianrender8212 Benoit is just one case. In 40 years we will see the results of CTE in wrestlers become more common. Especially in chair shot victims

[@carljohnson4353]

@@YoungBloodGinger chair shot "victims" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@radentstwo9793]

He looks great for his age, don't even look like he's in his 70's but in his 50's

[@billkuhl4051]

My heart goes out to mike. God please watch over him.

[@Augfordpdoggie]

no proof of god

[@user-ez4cp2vh5s]

There is no god

[@TheWatchernator]

@Lightnings Hand 319 "Truth" which has no proof. Also, not believing in a deity doesn't mean you 'worship the government'. And yes, I don't want my government to make rules based on a 2000 year old fairy tale book.

[@Galactusz007]

Your god gave him CTE.

[@namejebus1227]

🤣

[@CCTH2221-lp2zj]

This is very telling. Adamle was the picture of health and success when we were kids. A good looking and well spoken former player. This now brings the conversation into all the blows he received in high school and college as well…

[@donnalane2387]

Mike, my name is Donna. I was a good friend back in the day. Practice was at William Jewel College. You were the man back then. It's good to hear about you. Sitting here still in KC watching the Superbowl. Was talking and thinking about you.

[@michaelclyburn5858]

He was an NFL reporter when I was growing up. Always loved him.

[@ornelasjorge9102]

Fox Chicago and NBC

[@aubreyaragon988]

CTE is now being known and needs to be taken seriously. Sadly we the people are still ignoring the situation. From Mike Webber (Steelers), Dave Duarson (Bears), John McNair (Buccaneers), Junior Seau (Chargers) Snake Stabler (Raiders) all lost their lives to CTE. It's still neverending

[@bufnyfan1]

many of the 1972 Dolphins have succumbed to CTE including RB Jim Kiick, LB Nick Buoniconti and QB Earl Morrall

[@bufnyfan1]

Nick Buoniconti, Jake Scott, Earl Morrall, Jim Kiick, and 7 players in total from the 1972 Miami Dolphins perfect season all died from CTE-related illnesses

[@markfragel2770]

God Bless Mike and his Family.... thank you for sharing....

[@ericmarks6322]

God bless you Mike and Kim. May your love for each other and God's healing touch give you many more years together.

[@percivalsweetwater9992]

Yes, God created CTE.

[@ogdocvato]

Kim Adamle is a wife with a heart of gold.

[@notmebutyou8350]

"Spiraling out of control." (reminds me of Antonio Brown). I rememberer this guy. Seems like a decent person and loving husband. Hope he is feeling better.

[@donnalane2387]

I am sorry to hear about your struggles

[@robparadise6099]

Always a fan of Mike!

[@because0011]

Aaron Hernandez had CTE

[@SomethingClever_]

Flash it’s still CTE no matter how one “gets it”.

[@ThaSweetHart]

Broke He wasn’t a ‘gangbanger’ and he had been playing tackle football since he was a kid.

[@chrismc410]

@@SomethingClever_ contributed to the Benoit tragedy too

[@carolbenson6524]

Great show Megyn ! We need to all hear this. Thank you.

[@mrshhh7841]

I’m from Kent .Golfing partners with my old man . Prayers .

[@ryan363]

I'm not sure if I have CTE or just Post Concussion syndrome but I have suffered three documented concussions on top of a stroke at birth and had been assaulted in high school by being hit in the head with a 600page textbook, I have an idea of the pain he has gone through, it changed me for the worse. PROTECT YOUR HEAD AT ALL TIMES! ITS A HORRIFIC INJURY! mood swings, deep dark crippling depression and thoughts of suicide can definitely happen. I ended up with all of it and I also had uncontrollable convulsions for a short time. Mike's courage and ability to move and grow from this is inspiring!

[@PlasmaOrb1000]

To those who poke fun at him with the Jeff Harvey(instead of Hardy) and all the mistakes he made during his stint I WWE,you cant tell me you wouldn't make similar mistakes if you had as many head collisions in football like Adamle did. Hate to be that guy but think about it I mean really. #thinkaboutit

[@secondpower993]

Cory Doss JEFF HARDY & The Samoan Bulldog

[@PlasmaOrb1000]

Daniel Kane ok then

[@gman2015z]

That Jeff Harvey thing is funnier after you find out that Jeff actually wrestled under that name when he was underage and started with WWF as an enhancement talent back in the early 90s.

[@ReeseMan]

So true

[@secondpower993]

@@gman2015z yeah!

[@rhondacannon7447]

i am a big fan of mike i so sorry for him

[@TDH24Live]

I used to like him on American Gladiators when I was young

[@loulace8361]

My heart breaks. You can see he's having trouble speaking fluidly and gathering his thoughts slowly.

[@jpmnky]

At least this man has a supportive family. Many don’t and never will.

[@aubreyaragon988]

I first heard of CTE from Channel 8 Frontline because of Iron Mike Webbers death from suicide and that's what CTE was discovered by the African Medical Doctor who's such an inspiration and Will Smith played his character in the movie Concussion. This is an eye opener

[@Jonathan-do4qb]

Aubrey Aragon Webster died of a heart attack, not suicide

[@albionhustler9836]

Kim and Mike very nice people. Hope they are doing okay.

[@marcmaza2821]

I do a lot of mountain biking I had took some bad fall only 2 head injury it gets me worried about this!

[@Dollapfin]

Marc Meex don’t worry. Football players, hockey players, and soccer players have nonstop hits during their seasons. Usually 5 or so painful head injuries per practice or game for a lineman or linebacker or rb. When your season gets longer and you play for an extra six years your chances get much much higher.

[@Dollapfin]

Marc Meex many football players actually play thru minor concussions also. This may be a much bigger problem than a full concussion.

[@marcmaza2821]

Matthew Niedbala true! I agree where your coming from! I'm hitting jumps from 40-10ft I seen guys hit there heads hard!

[@simone9945]

@@Dollapfin soccer is nowwhere near as violent on the head as Football or Hockey. Football Is about smashing yourself into someone else. Soccer is a semi contact sport where nowadays if you make slight contact you get a technical Foul. Please don't tell me that those 1-2 times the player hits the ball causes head trauma because it's not true. The hit on the ball with your forehead is occasional and nowhere near as violent as Football.

[@troywright359]

Mike I always thought you were great in the WWE. Wish you could return

[@ignatiusjk]

The thing that puzzles me is why these symptoms don't show up till YEARS !! later. I would think the symptoms would show up two to three years later.

[@dantemcr129]

right that make sense its just too imposible for a symptom to show up after DECADES like wtf bro.. just WTF?.. LoL

[@Dkintaudi]

It starts rught away, you just ignore it until its really late

[@heidiii1387]

It doesn't always take long for CTE - college player committed suicide and he was ate up with it. A high school senior died and had it but mildly compared to the college player.

[@laloveisbad88]

The brain is so complex it could take years to figure out why. However CTE is degenerative do it is supposed to get worst.

[@johnfroelich8554]

My only Northwestern game: Adamle scores 4 rushing TDs against Minnesota...

[@livenight7135]

May God bless you

[@williamdiemert2116]

Also NASCAR and Auto racing drivers and Professional Bulls Riders

[@williamdiemert2116]

Are men and women who serves are country in the military have CTE also call combat blast a another form of CTE.

[@Kendell062]

It's sad,I remember he was a great announcer on t.v. for years..

[@bufnyfan1]

Buffalo Sabre Rick Martin had just one concussion in his career. After he passed from a heart attack at the wheel of his car the autopsy showed Stage 3 CTE. So it doesn't have to be "repeated head" injuries. One serious concussion/head trauma can do it.

[@trevormarshall8553]

I enjoyed Mike in WWE and of course American Gladiators. God bless him

[@rustiecage]

Third grade coach, 1979, said stop looking for blockers and just put head down and bust through, he was later fired for hitting me, I was 8. Played age 8 to 13, pretty sure i am suffering.

CTE has similar symptoms to BPD

[@afghosting8772]

ABSOLUTELY!!! I'm living this conundrum right now.

[@greghobbs1728]

Bi Polar disorder or Borderline diorder ???

[@afghosting8772]

@@greghobbs1728 For me, bi-polar. I am not sure about borderline. My ex-wife said I was borderline, so the diagnoses might be blurred. I have swings between suicidal depression and blind rage, as well as short-term memory and loss of command function. Just had some type of attack - not sure whether it was a stroke or a seizure as Addele describes. Going to doctor. I played college football, and between roughhousing as a kid and high school and college football, I figure I've been concussed dozens of times, ranging from out cold for 10 minutes to the funny (back then) dings when I didnt know my name.

[@nataliebrett4204]

Omg I thought this!! I have bpd and I felt Aaron Hernandez had similar symptoms

[@user-uj4mh8uy5o]

Can someone tell me what Eil is and what green grass and gold fish mean

[@cesara4234]

God bless

[@scotolbe]

My son is almost 9. He's a big boy for his age. I was going to sign him up to try football this year but no way will I now. Why do we let our kids play these hard contact sports like this. I'm not sure if I can enjoy watching football anymore.

[@jessavila4649]

Put him in flag football

[@maxspar]

Not a fan of the hosts questions, especially for a 5 minute interview on such a sensitive subject.

[@gman2015z]

"Jamaica me crazy Kofi!" Whats funny is Jeff Hardy was actually Jeff Harvey when he was underage and started with WWF, go on KZbin and check it out. Yea its not funny to poke fun at Adelme's situation and I had no issue with him on Raw, I'm not like the ppl who talked trash and now acting like they never hated him. Life is too short and Jeff Harvey is a funny lil thing and most ppl didnt even know what Mike was going through so people relax cuz you gotta laugh in the face of fear and death!

[@Steven-dh2rj]

I have CTE from mny head knocks and now the headaches are so bad….memory is getting bad …..CTE is real

[@thegutpunch1726]

Brutal....

[@TheWatchernator]

Imagine being the guy who drew up that chalk board in the background...

[@shadowlax47]

I kinda like him in wwe. Minus the mistakes he made. I like him as a commentator

[@whoaitsreesy]

He will always be Mr. American Gladiator host to me!

[@944clogue]

A great Bear, newscaster, Ironman, and now advocate... wish him the best...Everyone 8:16 in Chicago knows Mike, and his ailment.See no- one in Chicago knew he was struggling, every nite he did the sports show...

[@sistergrace9833]

My ex would break walls with my head , I know I am suffering with this ,

[@sherrieconnell2198]

I'm so sorry dear. You hang in there.

[@TheDeathwalker86]

World ends women most affected

[@tomsmith9011]

sounds terrible - I hope you had him arrested .

[@sistergrace9833]

@@tomsmith9011 Writing my story. Nobody’s daughter , no I never called the police . There’s a video of my 14 year old daughter telling what it was like living in violence with her dad .

[@tomsmith9011]

@@sistergrace9833 God bless you I hope you overcome all that negative history and know that not all men are that way - most are not. He needs Jesus in his heart - too. take care God bless you, him and your daughter!

[@rockyboon5025]

OJ

[@heidiii1387]

Sadly it's most likely true for him.

[@BrainInjurySurvival]

Winter Olympics athletes are also struggling at a very high rate. 😢

[@chrisbenoit5935]

Jeff Harvey

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

This Week on AMERICAN GLADIATORS...

[@kprnr7140]

I needed to quit Pro Wrestling due to concussions. I'm glad CTE is being taken more seriously now.

[@052970]

They can diagnose CTE while living. This isn't about CTE, it is about FootBall and CTE.

[@williambagley5415]

Well, how is it diagnosed while the subject is living?

[@afghosting8772]

I dont believe it can be diagnosed while living - at least in a way paid for by insurance. If you know a way, please tell. I have symptoms of CTE.

[@ceberus2206]

fashionista444 how long were you playing?

[@afghosting8772]

@@ceberus2206 Through college. Scary thing is, CTE has been found in autopsies of football players as young as 10 years old. Part of it is the number of shocks, part of it is suffering unlucky shocks.

[@ceberus2206]

AF Ghosting you sure you didn’t play it in high school or middle school? Or younger then the age of 12?

[@Arthur-bb2zf]

This video ignores TBI occurring from other sources than sports. I got mine in a car accident, way more serious than a normal concussion. These injuries linger for years and change all of their victims lives, even though they are technically not cte.

[@afghosting8772]

Good point. To my understanding TBI-related CTE is different from other TBI. The former stems from moderate, repeated impacts; injuries like yours - and those suffered by soldiers - are an entirely different animal.

[@user-ye6dk2fw6t]

I think I have it

[@1houndgal]

Where is the rest of the story? Ugh.

[@mdb2688]

It was 121 brains studied and 120 had CTE, Megan 😡

[@dwightlove3704]

HOW ABOUT BOXING!!!!!

[@enloveyduvey001]

without a doubt

[@dwightlove3704]

Edie xo Thanks if Joe Frazier did not have CTE NO ONE DID!!!!!

[@chazz256]

@Henry Stoneking Very true.

[@Nicklifts03]

Henry Stoneking I have epilepsy and play football I’m in high school and when football is your only way to not let epilepsy consume you then you can talk

[@williamdiemert2116]

MLS and other soccer players too

[@TheRockyTopRock]

I’m not convinced....

[@whodidit99]

Why are chidden playing tackle football?

[@justinroark88]

It explains why he said: “Jeff Harvey, Hardy” While on screen at the 2008 Royal Rumble

[@whodidit99]

5-9" and he played pro football? He must have taken a lot of hits.

[@breedcreed]

-5 Stars

[@manbehindacameras1617]

Induct this man into WWE Hall Of Fame! I don’t care if he’s the worst GM, he’s deserve it!

[@StevenTyler94]

He was better than the anonymous GM

[@kierandresser3682]

Another man that has been waiting anxiously in anticipation, and his name is Jeff Harvey!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Iggy3]

Hardy

[@4thandinches]

Even after all his trauma, Adamle's brain injury pales in comparison to Megyn's.

[@williambagley5415]

Come on now, 4th, dont be a snarky a-hole 🤨

[@dannyburch2122]

True but what a beauty

[@EastonZyn]

big chirp lmao

[@FIXTREME]

Not cool

[@tomsmith9011]

funniest commment I've read on YT - EVER!!!! LMFAO

[@ElWeyChingon]

JEFF HARVEY

[@sychophantt]

HAHA

[@KnowDatRightStuff00]

Chris Carranza too soon

[@secondpower993]

@@KnowDatRightStuff00 not soon enough.

[@Nicklifts03]

Hey twinsies I got epilepsy and I play football

[@thelegendkillersshittyduff1335]

You should quit football and preserve ur life

[@willsmith3787]

I don't think you should be playing at all if you have epilepsy.

[@edfulginiti8798]

Hard for me to imagine I once liked this woman and enjoyed her work. She is TERRIBLE!

[@keith6032]

why does everyone hate her?

[@tomsmith9011]

DJT wrecked her......was awsome to see him demolish this demon

[@mr.t658]

this dude is ok i mean he doesn't even slur his speech. if you really want to see what cte is like go check retired boxers

[@mr.t658]

@Henry Stoneking no im a boxing fan and i have seen former fighters who can not even speak and are completely unaware of their surroundings. basically they cant live independently cant even control their bodily functions, cant swallow food etc

[@SomethingClever_]

Yellow Man what flawed logic. There’s different levels of severity of CTE. It doesn’t make it “fake” or “not” CTE just because it isn’t always that severe. It progresses.

[@AylaMarianna]

That's like saying someone doesn't have HIV because they don't have full-blown AIDS. Get a grip.

[@mikeeckhoff20]

I think it is a conspiracy for sure.

[@heidiii1387]

No, the brain is sensitive.

[@tomsmith9011]

a lot of people who abused drugs and alcohol have the same brain problems and their lives are affected badly too. Give the wife credit she has a heart. She was living in a four BR house with two children (2+1 makes need for 3) while Mike's out there in some house all alone. Mike probably caused the divorce when he started hitting her for his own selfish reasons (brain damage or not we all know never to lay your hands on anybody not to mention a woman not to mention a woman you supposedly love and had two children with), but I degrees. Mike was acting out badly let's just say that. She still took him back in - that woman has a heart is all I am saying. Not an easy story to listen to but I'll tell you what. Watching MK for the very first time since she left Fox is painful. How in the world does this clown have a job as an interview host? She is a joke - victim of the Trump wreck -

[@davidjordan1962]

It's just not football or bull riders, it's First Reponders. I'm a retired LEO 25 years and living with TBI, PTSD and possibly CTE. It's not fun at all. You just have to treat the systems.

[@franciscafazzo3460]

he needs to promote and get hyperbaric therapy like Joe Namath and others have done.

[@patrickshenton769]

hyperbaric chamber cannot untangle aggregated clumps of toxic proteins in your brain

[@thescatman5029]

Dude didn't play in the NFL, that long.

[@GARRY3754]

Six years in nfl is a long time

[@woflover]

I think that's the thing, IMO. 6-7 years can definitely do damage, but it doesn't seem like a long time when compared to like 10 years or 20 years, but it's still enough to do a LOT of damage, especially when you played college, high school, kid, etc.

[@Darkwell0071]

No respect for these guys they knew the odds snd were paid handsomely. Did they think they were paying a kids game making that money with no risk. It is the guys working a factory or tough physical,job just to put food on the table and watching our goverment hollow these people out. Those are the heroes in my life. You think manufacturing or other physical jobs don't take a toll on knees,backs,or sholders. You think CTE only exists in football ?

[@roncc1616]

You're kidding me! You mean pounding with your head and being pounded by your head can cause a problem!! It's called taking responsibility for your own actions. Live with the dude