Watch CBS News

Ron Brace's Father Suggests Concussions Led To Son's Death

SPRINGFIELD (CBS) -- At the funeral Monday for former Boston College and New England Patriots defensive tackle Ron Brace, who was found dead April 23, the football star's father suggested that his history of concussions played a role in his death.

Despite Boston Globe reports that Brace died of a heart attack, MassLive reports that Brace's father, Ronald J. Brace, Jr., said at the funeral that his son's cause of death was not yet known. Brace Jr. said his son had shown symptoms of concussions before his death, and that he had crashed his car and collapsed in a CVS.

"€œThis concussion stuff is serious," Brace Jr. said, according to MassLive. "Ron had an extraordinary amount of concussions. I believe the concussions had something to do with his death."

The Boston Globe had reported that a source told them Brace was "watching television when he apparently went into cardiac arrest," and that his father discovered him.

Brace, a Springfield native, played for Boston College from 2005-08. After the Patriots drafted him in 2009, he spent four seasons with New England, from 2009-12.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.