Tag: Carlton Haselrig

Brain of former Steelers lineman donated for CTE research

The brain of former Steelers guard, Carlton Haselrig, was donated for CTE research.

After former Steelers offensive lineman Carlton Haselrig died last month, his family followed through on his wishes to donate his brain to Boston University for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) research.

Work is being conducted to diagnose CTE through blood tests or imaging; however, the only way to currently detect it is after death.

Boston University has described CTE as a “progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma (often athletes), including symptomatic concussions as well as asymptomatic subconcussive hits to the head that do not cause symptoms.”

“Life starts with family. Carlton was big on family, he respected everyone, inspired his loved ones, and ensured to always support those he encountered,” his family said in a statement. “As his family, we have promised to do our part and uphold the values Carlton has built, starting by executing his desire to donate his brain for CTE research.”

Before joining the Steelers, Haselrig was a six-time national champion heavyweight wrestler at the Pittsburgh-Johnstown.

According to a 2017 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, CTE has been found in 110 of 111 former NFL players who donated their brains for research.

Former Steelers, Hall of Fame center Mike Webster and offensive tackle Justin Strzelczyk, were both found diagnosed with CTE after their deaths. Since Webster’s tragic death in 2002, other high-profile players — including Junior Seau, Frank Gifford, and Kenny Stabler — were diagnosed with CTE postmortem.

In 2017, then-Steelers cornerback Artie Burns said he believes he has CTE.

I definitely know I have it. I’m going to [test positive for] CTE. I don’t need a test. Is it going to tell me how much I have? We play a physical sport, man. Humans are not made to run into each other.

The league is continuously working to make pro football a safer game through protocols, rule changes and improved helmets.

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Former Steelers, Jets lineman Carlton Haselrig dies at 54

Carlton Haselrig has died at the age of 54.

Former NFL player Carlton Haselrig died Wednesday at the age of 54. The former Steeler and Jet had been battling liver disease, according to Trib Live.

Haselrig was a tremendous wrestler at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. He won six NCAA titles, three at the Division II level and three at Division I. Haselrig’s all-time college wrestling record was 143-2-1 and he went 122 straight matches without a loss.

After Haselrig’s college wrestling career, he moved onto professional football. He was drafted as a guard in the 12th round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Haselrig didn’t become a starter with the Steelers until 1991 when he started 16 games. In 1992, he was a Pro Bowler and a First-Team All-Pro. He only started four games in 1993, though. Haselrig, who struggled with drugs and alcohol during and after his career, did not play in the NFL in 1994.

He joined the Jets in 1995. Haselrig spent one season in New York, starting 11 games before ultimately calling it a career.

Haselrig tried MMA from 2008 to 2009 and went 3-2 in his matches before retiring.

Former Steelers guard Carlton Haselrig has died at the age of 54

Carlton Haselrig has died.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers family got some bad news on Wednesday when it was reported that former Steelers guard Carlton Haselrig had died at the age of 54.

Haselrig was a 12th-round pick of the Steelers back in 1989 out of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. But he never actually played college football. Instead, Haselrig was one of the most successful collegiate wrestlers of all time. He won six national championships, a mark that will never be beaten.

But after a short stint as a professional wrestler, Haselrig turned his attention back to playing football. The Steelers took a shot on him and it paid off. He spent five seasons with the Steelers and in 1992 was named an All-Pro and went to the Pro Bowl as a guard.

In his career, Haselrig played in 68 games with 47 starts. He will be missed.

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Former Pittsburgh Steeler, NCAA wrestling champ Carlton Haselrig dies at 54

Former Pittsburgh Steeler and six-time NCAA wrestling champion Carlton Haselrig did at the age of 54.

One of the most remarkable stories in NFL history was that of the journey Carlton Haselrig took to make the league. Now, news the former Pittsburgh Steeler is dead at the age of 54.

Haselrig collapsed at his Johnstown (PA) home Wednesday and was pronounced dead less than an hour later, Cambria County Coroner Jeffrey Lees said. The coroner said the death is believed to be of natural causes; an autopsy will be conducted.

Haselrig was an amateur wrestling extraordinaire, winning six NCAA wrestling titles at Division II Pitt-Johnstown in the late 1980s, three each at the Division I and Division II levels.

Haselrig’s run prompted the NCAA to create the so-called “Haselrig Rule,” which bars small-school champions from moving on to the Division I tournament.

“There were a lot of naysayers,” Haselrig once told The Tribune-Democrat. “They said I’d never be able to achieve the things I wanted to at UPJ. Being the first national champ on the wall, that was something that was very important to me to be able to give to Coach (Pat) Pecora.”

Haselrig hadn’t played football in college, but the Pittsburgh Steelers picked him in the 12th round of the 1989 NFL Draft. He played five seasons as an offensive lineman in the NFL – four with the Steelers and one with the New York Jets.

In 1992, he made the Pro Bowl and helped the Steelers to a division title. A little more than a year later, though, his struggles with drugs and alcohol knocked him out of the league.

“We are devastated by the loss of our husband, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend,” his wife, Michelle Haselrig, said in a statement to The Tribune-Democrat. “He was my companion, my best friend, my everything. He was funny, kind, humble and dedicated. We will never fully recover from such a great loss, but are blessed to have family and friends to lean on during this difficult time.

“Thank you to all of those who reached out. We know that Carlton had a major impact on the community and understand that his passing is bigger than just us. We ask for privacy and respect as we navigate through this difficult time.”