BMX legend Dave Mirra has passed away at the age of 41

[Iceman]

Couldn't believe this when I saw it. Apparent self inflicted gun shot wound. He was such a legend growing up riding bikes. So sad that something in his life was that bad that he had to take is own life. Has a wife and 2 kids. RIP Dave

Wonder if he had CTE issues from falling off the bike and hitting his head

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/2/4/10919796/bmx-legend-dave-mirra-has-passed-away-at-the-age-of-41

 

[Brian in Mesa]

One of our all-time favorites. So sad.

 

[Bert]

So sad... RIP


I debated for a long time saying anything other than that because I dont want to get into it too much with it being so fresh and such a shock, plus we dont know the whole story yet.... But it just goes to show how critical it is to talk about it and get help if you are feeling suicidal or harming yourself. Let Daves death in some way be a comfort to you that it can happen to anyone, no matter how famous or how much perception might suggest that they 'have it all.' It can happen to anyone and there is nothing wrong with getting help.

#MentalIllnessAwareness
#RIPDave

 

[Dback Jon]

http://espn.go.com/action/story/_/id/15614274/bmx-legend-dave-mirra-diagnosed-cte

Doctors say late BMX legend Dave Mirra had CTE

BMX icon Dave Mirra, who died in February, suffered from the type of chronic brain damage that has shown up in the brains of dozens of football players, a University of Toronto neuropathologist has concluded. Multiple neuropathologists confirmed the diagnosis.

Mirra is the first action sports athlete to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease that can lead to dementia, memory loss and depression. He died on Feb. 4 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The tau protein deposits found in Mirra's brain were indistinguishable from the kind that have been found in the brains of former football and hockey players with CTE, Dr. Lili-Naz Hazrati, the Toronto neuropathologist, told ESPN The Magazine.