Tight end Frank Wycheck #89 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 8, 2002 at the Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Frank Wycheck, the former NFL tight end celebrated for his role in the iconic "Music City Miracle," had stage III chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he died at age 52, his family confirmed Thursday.
Wycheck passed away on Dec. 9, 2023, after suffering a head injury in a fall at his Chattanooga home. Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center later confirmed he had stage III CTE, a severe neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head trauma.
Wycheck, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, played in the NFL from 1993 to 2003 with Washington and the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans. He was best known for his lateral to Kevin Dyson during the "Music City Miracle," a play that propelled the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance.
Family speaks out about CTE struggles
In a statement, Wycheck’s daughters shared the challenges they faced understanding the physical and mental changes he experienced after retiring from football.
"We witnessed our father becoming increasingly isolated and experiencing drastic mood swings," Deanna Wycheck Szabo said. "Now in hindsight, I understand that he was suffering from the symptoms of CTE due to the repeated trauma his brain and body endured over 11 seasons in the NFL."
Szabo said her father’s health struggles were a harsh reminder of the toll football can take, calling for increased education and support for players and their families.
A cautionary tale for contact sports
Wycheck’s family said they hope his story serves as a cautionary tale about the long-term impacts of repeated head trauma. His daughter Madison Wycheck Nowell said she saw her father’s health rapidly decline after retirement and worried about his daily well-being.
"My dad explained that it felt like his brain had a thick brick wall inside that stopped his will to follow through with anything," Nowell said.
Despite his struggles, Nowell noted that Wycheck was able to enjoy meaningful moments with his family, including weddings and grandchildren, before his passing.
Raising awareness for player safety
Wycheck’s family expressed gratitude for the diagnosis, believing it could further highlight the dangers of head injuries in football and encourage stronger commitments to player safety.
"Instead of believing that something was inherently wrong with him, we now know he was doing the best he could under circumstances beyond his control," Szabo said.
Wycheck’s death coincided with the 25th anniversary of the "Music City Miracle," a defining moment in his career and one of the NFL’s greatest plays.
The Source:
Information sourced from the Associated Press and statements provided by Frank Wycheck’s family.