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Ray Lewis' son had CTE, family warns against football before age 14

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Ray Lewis III, son of Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, was suffering from CTE when he died last summer, the family announced Thursday, warning of the risks associated with participating in tackle football before age 14.

Lewis III was 28 when he died in central Florida on June 14. An autopsy report obtained by People found the cause of death was an accidental mixture of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

Dr. Ann McKee, director of the CTE Center at Boston University, recently diagnosed Lewis III with stage 2 (of 4) chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

“When I sent my son to play tackle football at age 5, I didn't know I was taking the risk of having to bury him 22 years later,” said Tatyana McCall, Lewis III's mother. “I would have done something different now that I know the risks. We have to wait until our babies are at least 14 before we allow them to play tackle football.”

More: Twenty-one former Dolphins players suffered from CTE, a Boston University study shows

A 2019 Boston University study found that the risk of developing CTE can increase by as much as 30 percent for each year of playing tackle football. The nonprofit Concussion Legacy Foundation warns parents against allowing their children to play tackle football before age 14.

“We are proud to honor the legacy of 'Ray Ray' by teaching our youth about football safety while sharing and supporting research on CTE,” said Lewis, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens and one of the most decorated players in NFL history.

Ray Lewis III showed symptoms of CTE before his death

Lewis III's family said he had memory problems and erratic and impulsive behavior – traits often associated with CTE. McCall suspected her son, who played for his father's alma mater, the University of Miami, among other teams during his college career, had CTE. The disease cannot be diagnosed until after death and is not curable, only treatable.

“It also breaks my heart that one has to die to receive a diagnosis for this disease,” McCall said. “Our family is committed to doing everything we can to raise money for further research so scientists can learn how to definitively diagnose CTE while you are still alive.”

Last year, people received a report from Casselberry police that officers found Lewis III unconscious at home on June 14. Authorities said they found narcotics, alcohol, a tranquilizer pill and a used syringe. Police administered Narcan to him for an overdose, but he was unresponsive. He was taken to an Altamonte Springs hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Ray Lewis accepts the degree on behalf of his son

Lewis III, a defensive back, played high school football for Lake Mary Prep before signing with UM. After two seasons in which he struggled to get on the field, he transferred to Coastal Carolina before landing at Virginia Union.

This month, Ray Lewis accepted a posthumous degree from Virginia Union on behalf of his son. Lewis wrote on social media, “My son, I am so proud of you. Heaven called you but thanks to Virginia Union we got you your degree today little boy. We will see you again soon, to all the other families whose children did not make it across the stage. God bless you!!! Celebrate every step our children take in life, even the steps we don't like. Ray 3rd, we had a great day today!!! I miss you my King!!!”

Lewis III once told the Baltimore Sun that he hoped to follow in his father's footsteps.

“I dream of going to the NFL one day,” he said. “But I also dream of making a difference in people's lives outside of the football field.”

Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of CLF, hopes Lewis III can still have a positive impact despite his early life.

“Stories like Ray Ray Lewis' remind us why we must accelerate our efforts to prevent and treat CTE,” Nowinski said. “We thank his family for their commitment to research, education and improving football safety. Through brain donation, grieving football families have shown us how to make the sport safer. Now it's up to all of us to act.”

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on social media at @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.

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