Latest news with #Cross
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
Who has had CTE? Notable NFL players who suffered from disease
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, returned to the national limelight this week when a gunman who believed he had the degenerative brain disease killed four people in a Manhattan skyscraper. New York City mayor Eric Adams said that police suspect the shooter was targeting the NFL's Manhattan office located in the building but took the wrong elevator. CTE is linked to repeated head injuries like concussions, according to the Mayo Clinic, which has seen brains of nearly 350 former NFL players after their deaths. Boston University's CTE center diagnosed 345 cases of CTE in the 376 former NFL players' brains it's studied since 2008 – a rate of 91.7%. Of those 345 former players, there have been many notable playmakers who were diagnosed after their deaths, which is the only time CTE can be formally diagnosed. Here's what to know about CTE and its history with notable NFL players: What is CTE? CTE, which stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative brain disease that destroys nerve cells in the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is linked to repeated traumatic brain injury, such as concussions, and has been found in many former boxers, NFL players and military combat veterans after their deaths. CTE can only be diagnosed after death, with no specific symptoms tied to the disease present while a victim is alive. However, symptoms with possible ties to CTE include memory loss, impulsive behavior and depression. According to the Mayo Clinic, any symptoms that form as a result of CTE form over several years following multiple instances of traumatic brain injury. They will not necessarily be present immediately after a concussion or other similar injury. CTE, EXPLAINED: NYC gunman might have been targeting NFL over its handling of brain trauma Notable NFL players diagnosed with CTE Belcher played for the Chiefs for three full seasons and played in 11 more games for Kansas City in a fourth season before he killed his girlfriend, then himself, in December 2012. ESPN reported in 2014 that a medical examiner determined Belcher's brain had signs of CTE. Cross was a two-time Pro Bowler who played in the NFL for nine years. In his rookie season, Cross earned the nickname "Paper Head" for the sheer number of concussions he suffered in the 1961 season alone, according to a 2018 interview he had with the Philadelphia Inquirer. Cross went on to become the first Black sports analyst on national TV after his career. He was diagnosed with a form of dementia shortly before his death, which he believed could be attributed to CTE. He donated his brain to the Boston University CTE center, where it became one of the 345 from former NFL players diagnosed with the disease. Dobler played 10 years in the NFL and appeared in the Pro Bowl for three consecutive years from 1975 to 1977. After he died in February 2023, he donated his brain to Boston University, where he was posthumously diagnosed with CTE. Henry played for the Cincinnati Bengals for five years – between 2005 and 2009 – before his death in December 2009. The wideout fell out of the back of a moving truck during a domestic dispute and a hit to his head led to his death. Six months later, the Brain Injury Research Institute of West Virginia announced Henry had developed CTE prior to his death. Hernandez played three years for the Patriots starting in 2010. Four years after he was imprisoned for the murder of Odin Lloyd, Hernandez committed suicide in his cell. After his death, Boston University diagnosed the former tight end with CTE. A Hernandez family lawyer said while announcing his diagnosis that the case of CTE was "the most severe case they had ever seen in someone of Aaron's age." A former second-round pick by the then-San Diego Chargers in 2005, Jackson played 12 years in the NFL and made three Pro Bowls by the time he retired in 2016. He died in 2021, aged 38, from chronic alcohol use, according to a medical examiner and was diagnosed with CTE by Boston University's CTE Center. Long played his entire eight-year career for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2005, 14 years after his final season, he committed suicide by drinking an entire gallon of antifreeze shortly after an indictment for arson and fraud charges. His autopsy, performed by neuropathologist and CTE discoverer Bennet Omalu, revealed that he had the degenerative brain disease. The gunman in Monday night's mass shooting in Manhattan named Long by name in a rambling note found in his pocket. Seau's career spanned nearly three decades – from 1990 to 2009 – and was marked by numerous accolades, including first-team All-Pro recognition six times, 12 consecutive Pro Bowl seasons and a Walter Payton Man of the Year award. His 20-year career included two Super Bowl appearances: one with the Chargers in Super Bowl 29 and another with the Patriots in Super Bowl 42. Seau committed suicide in 2012, and his family donated his brain tissue to the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. A year later, they revealed the NIH had found signs of CTE. The linebacker was posthumously enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. By the end of Thomas's nine years with the Denver Broncos, he had risen to second in all-time receiving yards in the team's history. He won a Super Bowl with Denver after the 2015 season and played four more years that included brief tenures with the Houston Texans and New York Jets. He died in December 2021 from what police called a "medical issue" that stemmed from a 2019 car crash. His brain tested positive for signs of CTE after its donation to Boston University. Wycheck was an 11-year NFL veteran who earned three Pro Bowl nods during his career and is a member of the Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor. He was the Titans' leading receiver for three years (1999-2001) and was the player who threw the famous lateral pass in the "Music City Miracle" play that led Tennessee to a playoff win over the Buffalo Bills. Wycheck died in 2023 after falling and hitting his head. In January 2025, ESPN reported that his family confirmed Wycheck had been diagnosed with CTE after his death.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ari Aster on Gruesome ‘Eddington' Ending, Full-Frontal Joaquin Phoenix and Soothing His Notorious Anxiety
SPOILER ALERT: This interview contains spoilers for, including the ending of, 'Eddington,' now playing in theaters. Does anything relax Ari Aster? More from Variety Box Office: 'Superman' Still on Top as 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Hooks $5.8 Million Opening Day Ahead of 'Eddington' and 'Smurfs' Box Office: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Scares Up $2.2 Million in Thursday Previews, A24's 'Eddington' Earns $625K Micheal Ward on Finally Having His Cannes Moment With 'Eddington,' What He Learned From 'Cool Cat' Joaquin Phoenix and Why His Next Film Should Excite 'Top Boy' Fans The ramp-up to the celebrated indie filmmaker's latest release, 'Eddington,' reminds us just how much crushing anxiety informs his work and daily life. Take last week's exhaustive New York Times profile, in which Aster threatened to walk into traffic at the thought of answering routine publicity questions. But his demons aren't without benefits, having produced disruptive and culture-consuming movies like 'Hereditary,' 'Midsommar' and 'Beau Is Afraid.' On a recent Zoom with Variety, Aster sat in the office of his distributor A24 and considered the things that bring him joy and calm. 'I like to read. I like watching movies. Making films provides a healthy level of distraction. Being idle isn't my thing,' he said. The director also confessed to enjoying junk food (calling himself an 'over-orderer' on apps like Uber Eats) and low-brow comedy (he couldn't name any recent favorites off the cuff). He meditates. Sadly, he does not partake in any of Bravo's 'Real Housewives' installments, as the Times hinted he might. Escapes from his prison of anxiety are minimal, but perhaps that's why we have 'Eddington.' The Cannes selection follows antihero Joaquin Phoenix as Joe Cross, a New Mexico law enforcer whose personal life explodes in scandal and violence at the exact time COVID rattles the world and undoes his small town. The film was divisive from the jump, with some critics saying Aster's film is incendiary on purpose – meant to rile conspiracy theorists, incite liberal outrage and foreshadow the inevitability of a second Trump term. Variety's Owen Gleiberman, in his positive review, said some viewers might wonder if Aster had 'turned into some right-wing hipster auteur tossing cherry bombs attached to Fox News talking points.' Political and social indictments aside, Aster crafts the kind of bleak ending he's become famous for. [Last chance to avoid spoilers] Much of the film's action centers on a haphazard mayoral campaign Cross is running while trying to keep the peace in his town. After smiting his opposition (Pedro Pascal) and quite a few others, Cross claims victory at a high price. A climactic action piece just before the film's final scenes brings Antifa to town – puppets of the elite paid to stage havoc in service of darker goals, the theory goes. Phoenix's Cross confronts them head on through air assaults, multi-car explosions and a town square shoot-out that feels like Paul Verhoeven guest directed 'Grand Theft Auto.' In the end, Cross takes a knife to the skull. Since this is an Aster movie, death is nowhere near the worst thing that can happen to his protagonist. 'I wanted it to feel as desolate as possible,' Aster said of the ending. Cross survives but is left paraplegic by the stabbing. He holds the mayor's office but can't enjoy its power and privilege, instead a symbol now cared for by his unhinged mother-in-law (the underrated Deirdre O'Connell). Cross spends his days reflecting on his sins and getting abused by caretakers. In a montage looking at Cross' new daily routine, Phoenix offers some rare full-frontal nudity from a male movie star ('If you got it, you might as well [flaunt it],' the director said of his lead). One of the final glimpses we see of Cross is at the grand opening of a data center, built right next to the paltry town of Eddington. Many theorize that the data center, the construction of which is opposed by some locals and indigenous people, was the real evil in the story. 'What you'll see in the film is that I have some frustration towards one side of this ideological battle, but I'm terrified of the other side. And part of my frustration with that first side is that it's failing to meet the threat of the other side,' he said. 'This film is about a bunch of people who are in the same situation, and they're all boring, and they're all going at each other. But they're all subject to the same forces and the same big power that is working on them.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
5 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Man lost 86 pounds in 60 days by juicing — shop 32% off this juicer now
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. They say big changes start small. But sometimes, it's one powerful tool that helps you turn the page. Several years ago, Joe Cross set out on a life-changing weight-loss journey that became the focus of his documentary 'Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead,' where he lost 86 pounds in just 60 days by juicing, all under the supervision of his doctor. His story proved it could be done and inspired the juicing generation. Although this is an extreme case, juice cleansing for weight loss is a common venture that assists with weight loss and puts your body on a healthy track geared for success. But a shipment of fresh juice each month can cost more than the price of this machine. Why waste your hard-earned cash when you can get this EanOruus Cold Press Juicer at 32% off right now? Advertisement Cross has his own juicer, the Nama J2, which he sells for $580, but no need to spend that kind of money for your own — save $450 and buy one on Amazon that delivers the same results. If you're resetting after a sluggish season or starting a serious wellness journey, this cold-press juicer can help you achieve the results you want and move the needle that has been so hard to budge. With its extra-wide 5.8-inch feed chute, you can toss in whole apples, carrots, and even celery stalks — no chopping necessary. That means you spend less time prepping and more time sipping. It's even safe for little helpers if your kids are curious to join in. Over 9,000 people bought this bestselling juicer last month. Today, it's available at a no-joke bargain price. Ready to kickstart your own health journey and see what's possible? Try it risk-free with free returns if you're not completely satisfied. Amazon Powered by a 400-watt motor, this 7-stage masticating system yields 99% of the juice, extracting the pulp while retaining 30% more nutrients, compared to standard models. And because it uses slow cold press technology, your juice retains more nutrients with less heat damage or oxidation, ideal for anyone serious about detoxing, losing weight, or simply feeling their best. For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America's go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We're not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren't already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we're known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tragic update on Kings Cross nightclub legend who partied hard into the night at wild superyacht rave for his OWN live 'funeral'
One of Sydney 's true kings of the Cross, renowned nightclub identity Stevie Lowe, has died just two months after he celebrated his own death at his wild living wake. The much-loved promoter and chef had been fighting an aggressive throat cancer since being diagnosed with the disease late last year. 'It is with great sadness that we announce that Stevie lost his battle with cancer and passed away gently surrounded by his family and loved ones today,' his family said in a statement released on his Instagram on Friday. 'Stevie will be missed and forever in our hearts... As per his wishes there will be no funeral.' Instead, the nightlife kingpin had held a funeral while he was still alive. In May, he was joined by more than 180 of his closest friends aboard a party boat on Sydney Harbour for a final send-off and 'live funeral' before he headed into palliative care. 'I'd had this pain in my chest for probably a year or so and I always just dismissed it as indigestion,' Lowe told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 'I went to a few GPs and they just told me to take [heartburn medication] Nexium or something like that. 'Finally, in late November last year, I went and saw a specialist, and they sent me in for an endoscopy, and that's when they found the tumor on my esophagus and it just went from there. 'I went through a very stringent radiation treatment, which was really brutal. It was daily treatments for three weeks and it wasn't until at the very end that the pain and agony really started to kick in. 'Unfortunately, it had already metastasised to my liver, so it's stage-four cancer. It's now just a process of palliative care until, until the time comes - that's why I thought I'd throw a party.' Lowe admitted he had initially been a little apprehensive about the idea of holding a 'live funeral' to mark the end of his life. But he said that, the more he thought about it, the more he realised he wanted his friends to remember him at his bright-spirited, fun-loving best, rather than during the dark days to come. 'It was actually my sister's idea - she'd heard about people doing these "live wakes",' Lowe said. 'At first, I was like, "That sounds a bit morbid," but she said, "Well, no, actually think about it." 'And she was right, you know. We've all been to funerals, and they're f***ing miserable - people have to take the morning off work, then you have to go to a church and all that sort of stuff. 'Then there's this sad after-party, and you just can't wait to get the f*** out of there - it's all so depressing. 'So I thought, you know what, I'd rather my friends see me now, albeit all 60 kilos of me when I used to be 85 kilos, but I'd rather they see me and remember me this way than come to see me in a hospital and feeding tubes and s*** like that. 'I thought it was a more dignified option - so I said, "Okay, let's do it - let's throw a live funeral" - and it seems it was really well received and reciprocated, which was wonderful.' Despite his strong links to the King Cross nightclub scene, Lowe said he ultimately decided to take to the harbour for his last big bash. 'I booked one of those large pontoon boats through All Occasion Cruises, which I used to work for as a catering chef. Yeah, and I put an invite out about a month ago, and I got about 180 RSVPs,' he said. The invitation asked guests to 'forget the sad stuff' and sitting through a 'depressing wake' and instead celebrate his life 'on a boat, martini in hand'. 'I had a very dear friend of mine who's the GM at Hugo's, do the em-ceeing and welcome everybody aboard to have a drink,' he said. 'Then I basically gave a speech saying, "Guys, this is where I'm at. To save you asking me how I am all night: This is where I'm at. 'And, "this is where I'm going. And I'm just really, really happy that you've all taken the time to come because... this is how I want to leave you".' Among those who joined Lowe for the sea-borne soiree were a Who's Who of the Harbour City's fashion and luxury identities. They included television presenter Sophie Falkiner, former model Michelle Leslie, swimsuit designer Tali Jatali, stylist Mars Marsanic, Pip Edward's interior designer ex Josh Clapp, Chic models boss Kathy Ward, Luxe Cruising Group founder Scott Robinson and luxury experience director Louisa Dickson. The sad part about having cancer is you've actually got the time to plan ... but at the same time, I'm glad I did. Everybody I invited pretty much came and they had the best time. 'There was lots of lots of tears, lots of hugs, but also lots of laughs, because I'm not, I'm not going out in a fit of depression and f***ing tears and all that sort of stuff. 'Instead, I spent the night catching up with all my friends, yeah, and just like sitting down with them and having a drink with them and having a laugh with them and having a hug - you know that to me, is better than anything. 'It was just a really, really good way to sort of go.' He said he appreciated all the fun and friends he had made over the past six decades and asked that they always remember the good times. 'I've been very, very fortunate - I've had an absolutely fantastic life.' 'I had all best time with all the nightclub stuff that I did; I had an icon on Oxford Street: [my nightclub] called Nevermind; and I got to meet people like George Michael and Lady Gaga through it - it's been a wild ride. 'So when all my mates ask, "What else have you got on your bucket list?" I can honestly say, "I've pretty much done it all. I've nailed it. I don't have anything that I need to do." 'I went to Switzerland in January with my family to go skiing, and that was very special for me, because it'll be the last time I'll be able to do that. So that was wonderful. 'So if that's it... please just remember me as that guy who let you into best nightclubs, bought them drinks and had a great time with you - because it truly was fun.'
Business Wire
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Aurora Payments Appoints Ryan Cross Chief Financial Officer
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aurora Payments, a full‑service payment technology provider, today announced Ryan Cross as Chief Financial Officer, responsible for leading the company's finance organization and driving financial excellence, operational efficiency and growth. Aurora Payments, a full‑service payment technology provider, today announced Ryan Cross as Chief Financial Officer, responsible for leading the company's finance organization and driving financial excellence, operational efficiency and growth. Share 'We're thrilled to welcome Ryan to Aurora,' said Derek Dean, Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Payments. 'His proven track record in large‑scale merchant finance and strategic planning will be instrumental as we continue to scale our full‑stack fintech platform and deliver even greater value to our partners and customers.' Cross brings over 15 years of financial leadership in the payments and merchant services industry. Most recently, he served as CFO of Wells Fargo's Merchant Services business, overseeing finance, accounting, and strategic planning for a multibillion‑dollar merchant portfolio. Prior to Wells Fargo, Cross held senior finance and accounting leadership roles over a ten‑year tenure at Worldpay and its predecessor organizations, including Fifth Third Processing Solutions and Vantiv. 'Aurora has built an extraordinary platform and a culture of innovation,' said Ryan Cross, Chief Financial Officer of Aurora Payments. 'I look forward to collaborating with Derek and the team to drive financial excellence, operational efficiency, and real‑time insights that accelerate our growth.' About Aurora Payments Aurora Payments is a united network of processing, technology, and payments solutions, supporting over 27,000 merchants and $12 billion in annual processing volume. Founded in 2005, Aurora has carved out leadership in several industries through its innovative products, exceptional service, and deep vertical expertise. The company's proprietary platforms —ARISE, RISE CRM, Calendarise, and NailSoft—are cloud-based solutions designed to simplify payments and operations for small and midsize businesses. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Aurora Payments is backed by Corsair, a leading private equity firm focused on payments, software, and financial service investments.
