Ex-NFL player Mike Adamle is battling dementia
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former NFL running back and host of "American Gladiators" Mike Adamle announced in a stirring interview that he is battling dementia.
Adamle has been off the air from his television job for almost a year. He explained the reasons behind his absence. Adamle, 67, said he suffers from dramatic mood swings, episodes of rage, depression, anxiety and memory loss.
"I've been on short-term disability and then long-term disability," Adamle said. "I've had seizures and epilepsy for the last 19 years."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}I've been on short-term disability and then long-term disability," Adamle said. "I've had seizures and epilepsy for the last 19 years."
According to Adamle's neurologist, Dr. Michael Smith of Rush University, Adamle's seizures are post-traumatic epilepsy, attributed in large part to his football career. But it appears they were just the beginning.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Adamle now has dementia and what doctors believe could be Chronic Traumatic Encephelopathy, also known as CTE.
"[My doctor said] we see some things that are concurrent with CTE," he said. "And I'm going, 'What? How can you say that? I thought it was supposed to happen after you pass away.' "
The diagnosis rocked the former Northwestern star.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It shook my world and it just got kind of a little bit worse sometimes every day," Adamle said.
To see the complete interview, click here