By Greg Fry

Bull rider Pozzobon diagnosed with CTE

Oct 10, 2017 | 2:33 PM

KAMLOOPS — A Merritt bull rider who died by suicide earlier this year has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Twenty-five-year old Ty Pozzobon died Jan. 9, 2017, and his family suspected his death was the result of repeated head injuries and concussions sustained during his rodeo career.

The family donated Ty’s brain to the University of Washington School of Medicine Neuropathology Core in Seattle and after a thorough examination of his brain,  doctors concluded Ty had CTE.

Further examination also confirmed evidence of chronic traumatic axonal injury that was consistent with traumatic brain injury identified by an MRI completed before his death.

In a statement, his family said though “Ty’s passing has brought so much sorrow and pain to all, we hope everyone, specifically athletes, understand that we need to educate each other with regards to head injuries, both short and long-term impacts.”

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Pozzobon is the first confirmed case of CTE in a professional bull rider.