Hunter Foraker, a 24-year-old male of Caucasian ethnicity, tragically died on September 18, 2017, in Dallas, Texas. He was a former star linebacker who had played football since the second grade and went on to attend Dartmouth College. However, he retired from football during his sophomore year due to lingering concussion symptoms. After college, Hunter developed a drinking problem and experienced severe mood swings.
His family later learned that he had Stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy , a progressive brain disease caused by concussions and hits to the head.
Hunter's death was ruled a suicide, and his family agreed to have an autopsy on his brain to better understand the impact of CTE. The Foraker family has since been advocating for flag football under the age of 14 and raising awareness about CTE in the medical field. Hunter's story has become a part of the growing body of evidence that CTE can affect young athletes, not just professional ones.
There were no arrests, suspects, litigations, or murder investigations related to Hunter Foraker's death, as it was determined to be a result of his struggles with CTE and mental health issues. His family continues to share his story to help others and promote safety in youth sports.
