Bobby Hull, the legendary NHL player and all-time leading scorer for the Chicago Blackhawks, was found to have stage two chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of his passing in January 2023. This information was confirmed by the Concussion Legacy Foundation in a statement released on Wednesday. Despite his impressive achievements on the ice, Hull’s legacy has been complicated by personal challenges off the ice.

According to the release, Hull exhibited various symptoms associated with CTE—including memory loss and impaired decision-making—during the last decade of his life. At 84 years old, Hull’s family made the significant decision to donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center.

“Witnessing the struggles faced by his lifelong friend Stan Mikita’s family, Bobby was determined to ensure that no other family would have to endure CTE,” Hull’s wife, Deborah, stated. “He felt it was his responsibility to contribute to research aimed at understanding this devastating condition.”

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, Hull had an illustrious 15-year career with the Blackhawks, amassing 604 goals and 1,153 points. He also played for the Winnipeg Jets and Hartford Whalers in the WHA and NHL.

However, Hull’s post-career life was marred by several controversies that have impacted his legacy within the sport.

In a 2002 interview with ESPN for a “SportsCentury” documentary, Hull’s ex-wife, Joanne, accused him of severe domestic abuse. In 1986, an altercation involving Hull and his wife, Deborah, led to a police intervention, resulting in Hull pleading guilty to assaulting an officer, while Deborah later withdrew a battery charge against him.

In a controversial remark made in 1998, Hull was quoted by the Moscow Times stating that Adolf Hitler “had some good ideas,” a claim he later denied, which continued to raise eyebrows and question his views.

In the recent statement, Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation and a former professional wrestler, expressed disappointment that the NHL has yet to fully acknowledge the connection between hockey and CTE.

“We owe gratitude to Bobby Hull, along with many NHL players and their families, for their contributions to our understanding of CTE,” said Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center. “We urge retired players and their loved ones to seek support if they are worried about CTE, as we are making progress in treating its symptoms, particularly in midlife.”