Studies to determine the correlation between traumatic brain injury, concussions and depression will be advanced with the recent donation of Ty Pozzobon’s brain to research.
The Pozzobon family came together with Nucleus Bio — a research team based out of Vancouver — to arrange the donation last week with a larger medical research group working on concussions and traumatic brain injuries after the 25-year-old bull rider took his own life Jan. 9.
Pozzobon, a world class competitor, had been struggling with depression after sustaining no fewer than 12 concussions over his extensive career, which started as a child in the Little Britches and B.C. High School rodeo circuits.
Willie Crosina, himself a one-time clown and bull fighter and also a respected high school rodeo announcer since 1972, knew Pozzobon well.
“It’s terrible. He had so much life ahead of him,” Crosina said.
“We have to start watching that closer when people are depressed. It’s a terrible thing.”
Crosina said he believes more and more attention will be placed on concussions in rodeo in the coming months and years as it is quickly becoming an issue in many other sports.
“I don’t think anyone really knows just how serious it is.”
Crosina said he doesn’t recall witnessing a lot of head injuries in the earlier days of rodeos and the Williams Lake Stampede, but that may also have something to do with the stock.
“The bulls weren’t near as mean as they are now, they’re bred to buck harder now.”
In all its 90-year history, the Stampede has only had one fatality and that was when a pick up man fell awkwardly in front of his horse, Crosina said.
“Rodeo has been here forever. I don’t think it will stop it, but I think (doctors with the PBR, Professional Bull Riders) are really watching for concussions now,” Crosina said, noting riders must be cleared by the PBR before they can compete again after an injury.
Nucleus Bio representative Sandy Price said with the addition of the Pozzobon donation they are pursuing ground breaking initiatives by working with leading experts, scientists, medical professionals and medical centres to advance the ability to image, diagnose, and track traumatic brain injury through the many events that may lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
“Our work along with the (Pozzobon donation) has the potential to help advance science and our understanding of the human brain leading to better treatments and patient outcomes for those who experience head and brain injuries and depression.”
Crosina said the death of Pozzobon will continue to be deeply felt in the rodeo community, particularly in the Cariboo Chilcotin where he had many friends and fans.
“It’s a big loss. He was such a great guy — he always had a smile on his face, and rodeo was his life.”