Matt Dunigan is donating his brain to science.
Matt Dunigan has been thinking for four years about donating his brain to science. The Canadian Hall of Fame quarterback whose career was ended by concussions even went as far as requesting donation forms from researchers at Boston University who are studying the brains of deceased athletes.
But it just didn't feel right. Until Dunigan talked to Toronto neurosurgeon Charles Tator.
The two met for the first time a few weeks ago over lunch, and Dunigan confided in the doctor that he still suffers some symptoms today, so many years after he played quarterback just as physically as a linebacker, always fighting for the extra yard until his career ended in 1996.
On Tuesday, the CFL held a news conference with representatives from all levels of Canadian football to announce a joint concussion awareness program. Tator, a panelist at the news conference, revealed that he and his colleagues have done autopsies on four brains that belonged to pro football players, research that is continuing and aims to enhance similar work being done in Boston.
To Tator's surprise, Dunigan, now an analyst for TSN, and the moderator of the news conference in Toronto, announced that he will donate his brain to Tator's project.
"It was a no-brainer, excuse the pun," said Dunigan, 50, an Ohio native who played college football at Louisiana Tech before coming to the CFL. "I want to be involved in his group. Dr. Tator came into my life and I realized it made sense for me. I have risked life and limb on the fields here in Canada. It was like 'yes, this feels right.'"
Dunigan recently agreed to be a spokesperson for Tator's concussion awareness group, ThinkFirst, and had learned about Tator's project, KNC Sports Concussion Project, which is studying a possible link between repeated concussions and late deterioration of brain function. But Dunigan had not told Tator he would donate his brain to the project until Tuesday.
"I think that's a thrill when someone of his stature says, 'I believe in your project, and when the time comes, you can have my brain,'" Tator said. "He wants to know why he's still having symptoms and wants to know if something can be done about it. He's putting his confidence in us to find the answers, and it really is impressive and heart-warming."
Dunigan's career ended in 1996 after he suffered multiple concussions. His son Dolan suffered three concussions by 15, and Dunigan convinced him to quit football and pursue other sports, something he now calls "the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"I've embraced this project," Dunigan said, "it has solidified what I've stood for and I can help a lot of families. What can you do once you're gone to further the science of dementia and postconcussive syndrome? I trust them to use it in a positive way and not exploit it."
He said he hoped to help the CFL spread the message that Canada's football players from "pee wee to pro" need to follow a protocol when a concussion is suspected.
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon announced that the league will distribute posters and cards with information on concussion symptoms, management and the steps for returning to play.
"Our goal is to ensure this basic but all-important information is on every coach's clipboard, posted in every team's locker room, and available to every player and parent," Cohon said.
Representatives from Canadian Interuniversity Sport, Football Canada and the Canadian School Sport Federation (high school) announced that the same card will be given to their athletes and coaches.
Other CFL initiatives, in addition to preseason baseline testing, which is already being done, will include a new computer system to track reported concussions, using film to identify players who are leading with the helmet, and communicating with teams to teach safer hitting.
Rachel Brady