Tessa Quinn
Former NFL star Ben Utecht suffered multiple concussions during his football career, leading to severe memory loss and other cognitive issues. After experiencing his fifth concussion in 2009, Utecht was hospitalized and subsequently released from his contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has since turned his focus to music and motivational speaking, sharing his experiences with concussions and memory loss with others.
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What You'll Learn
Ben Utecht's fifth concussion
Ben Utecht, a former NFL star, suffered five concussions during his football career. Utecht played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a tight end and had a Super Bowl championship with the Colts.
Utecht's fifth concussion occurred during practice with the Bengals in August 2009. He was participating in a routine blocking drill when he was knocked unconscious after a head-to-head collision with linebacker Darryl Blackstock. Utecht's injury was severe, and he was placed on a stretcher with his head taped to a board as a precautionary measure. His teammate, Andrew Whitworth, knelt beside him and prayed for his recovery.
Following his fifth concussion, Utecht experienced significant memory loss and cognitive weaknesses. He struggled to recall conversations and everyday tasks, often faltering mid-conversation. He sought treatment at the Mayo Clinic, where neurologist Bradley Boeve evaluated him and revealed some cognitive weaknesses. Utecht also experienced long-term memory gaps, where he could not recall universal memories shared by his friends.
Utecht's concussions had a profound impact on his life and career. He ended his football career due to the injuries and turned his focus to music and motivational speaking. He has since sold out holiday concert tours and shared his story with athletes, parents, coaches, and individuals dealing with memory loss.
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Memory loss and neurological evaluation
Memory loss can be a symptom of several conditions, including brain injuries, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disease, Lyme disease, and dementia. In the case of former NFL player Ben Utecht, his memory loss was a result of traumatic brain injuries sustained during his football career.
To understand the extent and causes of memory loss, a neurological evaluation is often conducted. This typically includes a review of the patient's medical history, signs, and symptoms, as well as a comprehensive assessment of their cognitive abilities. In Utecht's case, he sought evaluation from neurologist Bradley Boeve at the Mayo Clinic, where he underwent a neurological exam to test his vision, hearing, strength, sensation, balance, coordination, and reflexes.
Neurological evaluations for memory loss often involve assessing an individual's speech, spatial skills, and reflexes. Patients may be asked to name objects, follow verbal and written commands, write sentences, or draw complex shapes. These tasks help evaluate the patient's cognitive abilities and identify any deficits. In addition, brain imaging tests, such as MRI scans, may be performed to visualize any structural changes in the brain that could be contributing to the memory loss.
The results of these evaluations help clinicians develop treatment plans and monitor an individual's condition over time. It is important to note that memory loss can be a complex issue, and a comprehensive evaluation involving neurological, neuropsychological, and nursing assessments is often necessary to determine the underlying causes and recommend appropriate treatments.
Utecht's neurological evaluation revealed some cognitive weaknesses, and he continues to manage his health with annual exams and monitoring. He has also found a new purpose in music and motivational speaking, sharing his story with athletes, parents, coaches, and individuals dealing with memory loss.
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Treatment and recovery
After his injury, Ben Utecht was taken to the hospital, where he underwent tests to check for any other problems. He was then released from the hospital and placed on the injured reserve list for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Utecht had suffered five concussions during his football career, which caused him to experience memory loss and other cognitive weaknesses. To address these issues, he sought treatment from the Mayo Clinic, where neurologist Bradley F. Boeve conducted a neurological evaluation and recommended a plan for recovery. The plan included evaluating Utecht's signs and symptoms, reviewing his medical history, and conducting a neurological exam to test vision, hearing, strength, sensation, balance, coordination, and reflexes.
As part of his recovery, Utecht was advised to limit his activity and avoid air travel during the early stages. He also received support from his family, friends, and teammates, who prayed for his recovery. Utecht's medical team monitored his progress and advised him to focus on healing.
In addition to his physical recovery, Utecht prioritized his mental health and passion for music. He pursued a career in music and motivational speaking, releasing an inspirational music album and selling out holiday concert tours. He also wrote a book, "Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away: A Love Letter to My Family," which chronicles his journey through football, success, physical pain, and memory loss.
Utecht continues to manage his health with annual exams and monitoring at the Mayo Clinic to ensure his well-being. He has also advocated for raising awareness about the effects of concussions and the importance of memory in people's lives.
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Transition to music and motivational speaking
After his football career ended due to repeated concussions, Ben Utecht transitioned to music and motivational speaking. Utecht had always been interested in music, and his father was a Methodist minister. He sang in his father's church as a boy and was in more choirs than sports teams in high school. Utecht also sang in churches with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in college and in Indianapolis.
In December 2007, he joined Christian music star Sandi Patty onstage at the Indianapolis Festival of Lights. Utecht recorded an inspirational music album, released on May 5, 2009, on Sandi Patty's Stylos label. He also released a single, "You Will Always Be My Girls," in 2014, dedicated to his family. Utecht sold out 21 shows on a holiday concert tour in 2017.
In addition to music, Utecht has pursued motivational speaking. He has given keynote speeches and worked with organizations like the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Brain Foundation (ABF) to raise awareness of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Utecht's motivational talk, "MVP: Mind, Value, Purpose," tells his personal journey with concussions and memory loss. He encourages people to live every moment with a distinct sense of purpose and to consider how they would live their lives differently if they knew they would lose their memories. Utecht has received positive feedback for his speaking engagements, with audiences commenting on his warmth, humility, and inspiring message.
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Concussion diagnosis and sports safety
Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can alter brain function. They can occur in any sport but are most common in contact sports such as football, rugby, and ice hockey. Concussions can have a range of symptoms, including dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches, which can last from a few days to several weeks. In more severe cases, they can result in a loss of consciousness and require an extended recovery period of up to a year.
Former NFL player Ben Utecht suffered multiple concussions during his football career, which eventually led to memory loss and other cognitive issues. Utecht experienced long-term memory gaps and difficulties with learning and memory retention. He sought treatment and evaluation from neurologists and brain experts, who conducted neurological exams, brain imaging tests, and neuropsychological assessments to understand the extent of his injuries.
To diagnose a concussion, doctors perform comprehensive evaluations, including physical exams and neurological assessments. They check for symptoms such as changes in strength, balance, coordination, and reflexes. Doctors also review medical histories and may use tools like CT scans and MRI scans to detect brain bruising, swelling, or bleeding. In some cases, neuropsychological tests are administered to evaluate cognition, memory, and emotional changes.
To enhance sports safety and prevent concussions, campaigns like "When in Doubt...Take Them Out!" and the CDC's HEADS UP initiative aim to educate coaches, parents, and athletes about recognizing, responding to, and minimizing the risk of concussions. These campaigns provide informational materials, guidelines, and training to empower individuals to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions to protect the health and safety of athletes.
Additionally, states like New York have mandated that school nurses, athletic trainers, coaches, and physical education teachers complete sports concussion management training every two years. This training ensures a consistent and standardized approach to identifying and managing concussions, reducing the risk of long-term complications, and promoting the well-being of young athletes.
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Frequently asked questions
Ben Utecht was in the hospital after suffering a concussion during a practice session with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Yes, during his time with the Bengals, Utecht also broke his sternum and tore his plantar fascia.
Yes, Utecht has spoken about dealing with memory loss and cognitive weakness as a result of his concussions. He has also experienced dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches.
Utecht has pursued a career in music and motivational speaking. He has released an inspirational music album and sold out 21 shows on a holiday concert tour. He has also written a book, "Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away: A Love Letter to My Family," which chronicles his journey through football and his struggles with memory loss.
