Ray Lewis, family, warn against playing football too young as CTE is found in son Ray III

Ray Lewis III, son of Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, suffered from CTE when he died last summer, the family announced Thursday as a warning of the risks associated with playing tackle football before age 14.

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

Dr. Ann McKee, director of Boston University’s CTE Center, more recently diagnosed Lewis III with Stage 2 (of 4) chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

“Little did I know when I put my son in tackle football at age 5, I ran the risk of having to bury him 22 years later,” said Tatyana McCall, Lewis III’s mother. “I would have done something different now knowing the risks. We need to wait until our babies are at least 14 to allow them to play tackle football.”

More: Twenty-one former Dolphins had CTE, Boston University research study reveals

A 2019 Boston University study found that odds of developing CTE may increase by up to 30 percent each year tackle football is played. The nonprofit Concussion Legacy Foundation warns parents against children playing tackle football before age 14.

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

Ray Lewis III showed symptoms of CTE before death

Lewis III’s family said he experienced issues with memory and erratic and impulsive behavior — traits often associated with CTE. McCall suspected her son, whose college career included playing for his father’s alma mater, the University of Miami, had CTE. The condition can only be diagnosed after death and has no cure, only treatments.

“It also breaks my heart that you have to die to get a diagnosis for this disease,” McCall said. “Our family is committed to doing whatever we can to help raise funds to further the research so scientists can learn how to definitively diagnose CTE during life.”

People obtained a report from the Casselberry Police Department last year indicating officers found Lewis III unresponsive at home on June 14. Authorities said they found narcotics, alcohol, an anti-anxiety pill and a used needle. Police administered Narcan, for narcotic overdoses, but he did not respond. He was transported to a hospital in Altamonte Springs but pronounced dead.

Ray Lewis honored to accept degree on son's behalf

Lewis III, a defensive back, played high school football for Lake Mary Prep before signing with UM. After two seasons of struggling to get on the field, he transferred to Coastal Carolina before ending up 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'm so proud of you. Heaven called you, but thanks to Virginia Union we grabbed your degree for you today baby boy. We will see you again soon enough, to all the other families whose children didn't make it to walk cross the stage. God Bless you!!! Celebrate every step our children take in life, even the steps we don't like. Ray 3rd we made today a great day!!! Miss you my King!!!”

Lewis III once told The Baltimore Sun he hoped to follow his father’s footsteps.

“One day, I do have a dream of going into the NFL,” he said. “But I also have a dream of making a difference in people’s lives outside the football field.”

Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of CLF, hopes that even though Lewis III’s life ended early, he still can have a positive impact.

“Stories like Ray Ray Lewis’ remind us why we need to accelerate efforts to prevent and treat CTE,” Nowinski said. “We thank his family for their dedication to research, education, and making football safer. Through brain donation, grieving football families have shown us how to make the sport safer. Now it is up to us all to act.”

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Ray Lewis' son had CTE as family warns against football before age 14