Wed Feb 05 17:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Former NFL “Dirtiest Player” Conrad Dobler Diagnosed with CTE Posthumously
**Boston, MA** – The Concussion Legacy Foundation announced Wednesday that the late Conrad Dobler, a three-time Pro Bowl guard known for his aggressive playing style, was diagnosed with Stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after his death in February 2023 at age 73. The diagnosis was made by researchers at the Boston University CTE Center.
Dobler, who played 10 seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and Buffalo Bills, had pledged to donate his brain to the BU CTE Center in 2010. His daughter, Erin Lewin, stated that the diagnosis provides “closure” explaining his later-life neurological and behavioral issues. She emphasized his wish to publicize the findings to raise awareness about the risks of repetitive head trauma in football.
Dobler’s CTE was identified as a subtype called cortical sparing CTE, characterized by an earlier onset of behavioral problems than other forms. The diagnosis comes as no surprise given Dobler’s reputation; *Sports Illustrated* famously dubbed him “Pro Football’s Dirtiest Player” in a 1977 cover story, a moniker he embraced in his autobiography, *They Call Me Dirty*.
Former teammate and Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf shared his grief, stating, “It broke my heart to watch him struggle and slowly slip away.” Dierdorf described Dobler as “a force of nature” whose decline highlighted the devastating long-term effects of repeated head trauma. The announcement serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing impact of concussions in professional football and the need for continued research into CTE.
First Piper 