BJ Penn, a UFC Hall of Famer, has sparked controversy with a recent comment on Instagram questioning the legitimacy of the brain disease known as CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).
CTE is a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and repeated blows to the head. It is also linked to the development of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The existence of CTE is widely accepted, but thanks to social media, false information and conspiracy theories often gain traction.
In the past, Penn has referred to CTE as “fake” and has also made questionable claims regarding Dr. Anthony Fauci. Politifact debunked one of his posts, which falsely stated that Dr. Fauci does not exist.
BJ Penn’s Controversial Claim: CTE Is a Cover-Up for Murders
On Monday, Penn took his skepticism of CTE a step further and suggested that the medical condition is being used as a front to “cover up murders.”
In a comment on social media, Penn stated, “Do I have to keep telling you how fake CTE is? Ali, Frazier, Norton, Foreman, Hagler, Duran, Leonard, and Hearns never had it and they got a million times more than me each. CTE lies are a cover-up for murders. Don’t make me explain it again, kid.”
Penn, who was the first modern-era inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame, is undeniably one of the greatest fighters in UFC history and has won titles in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Since retiring from fighting, Penn’s post-fighting career has been tumultuous. A failed campaign for Governor of Hawaii marked the beginning of a challenging period in his budding political career in the state.
If you’re interested in learning more about the connection between CTE and combat sports, you can visit CombatSportLaw.com.
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