Sports | Lofa Tatupu NFL Stars Donate Brains to Science After death, players' brains will be used to help research into concussion injuries By Rob Quinn Posted Sep 15, 2009 2:27 AM CDT Copied NFL players Matt Birk, left, of the Baltimore Ravens, Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks, and Sean Morey of the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to donate their brains to science after death. (AP Photo/File) Three NFL players have agreed to donate their brains after they die to help scientists better understand sports brain injuries, HealthDay reports. Matt Birk of the Baltimore Ravens, Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals' Sean Morey are the first active NFL players to join the brain donation registry at Boston University School of Medicine. University scientists are studying the link between sports brain injuries and dementia. Over 150 former athletes, including 40 retired NFL players, have already pledged their brains and spinal cord tissue to the program studying Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. "CTE is the only fully preventable cause of dementia," said a professor of neurosurgery. By studying large numbers of athletes throughout their careers and examining their brains after death, researchers hope to learn more about CTE and devise strategies to prevent it, he said. Read These Next Iran's supreme leader makes first public comments since ceasefire. Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Report an error