Ex-Badger says he'll donate brain to science for concussion research after death

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Ron Egloff played football for the Wisconsin Badgers in the 1970s and went on to play eight years in the NFL.

Now, he hopes to help doctors solve a tragic problem for football players - trying to prevent long-term brain damage from head injuries.

"I know I got hit in the head, the loud bang of the helmet and my eyes actually crossed," Egloff said.

Egloff played tight end and absorbed countless hits to the head. 

He's 67 years old now and while he says he feels good, he fears for his future. He knows about other players who've died after suffering CTE, the degenerative brain disease that can cause depression, impulse control issues and impaired judgement. 

Now, after participating in a research study in Boston, Egloff says he wants to donate his brain to science after he dies.

"If we can figure out how to diagnose it, people can take action," said Dr. Michael Alosco, Boston University researcher.

"After talking to Dr. Stern there at Boston Medical and seeing what they're doing and the impact that they hope to have with this and get ahead of it, y'know, if they want my brain, they can have it, I'm gone," Egloff said.

Right now, CTE can only be diagnosed by examining a patient's brain after death.

Researchers hope to figure out how to diagnose it while a person is still alive.