Gordon McQueen CTE Linked to Heading

A coroner in North Yorkshire found that repeatedly heading a football 'likely' contributed to the brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which was a factor in the death of former Scotland, United Kingdom — Manchester, and Leeds United F.C. defender Gordon McQueen. McQueen died in June 2023 at the age of 70 from pneumonia, vascular dementia, and CTE. His daughter, Hayley McQueen, a TV presenter, testified at the inquest and is advocating for significant changes and education within football to protect future generations of players from similar brain injuries. Professor Willie Stewart, a consultant neuropathologist, examined Gordon McQueen's brain and confirmed the presence of CTE and vascular dementia. The inquest heard that Gordon McQueen himself believed heading the ball contributed to his condition. This finding has prompted calls from his family and organizations like Head Safe Football for football authorities, including Palestinian Football Association and Palestinian Football Association, to implement new policies to reduce heading in training, particularly for young players, to prevent long-term neurological damage.