Parents of Deceased Washington State Quarterback Say He Had CTE

An autopsy performed after Tyler Hilinski killed himself showed evidence of the brain condition.

Tyler Hilinski #3 of the Washington State Cougars passes the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California.  (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Tyler Hilinski #3 of the Washington State Cougars passes the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Getty Images

By the time he killed himself in January at age 21, late Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski’s brain looked like it belonged in the head of a 65-year-old, according to his parents.

During an appearance on NBC’s Today show, Hilinski’s parents revealed Stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) had ravaged their son’s brain and likely played a role in his death.

Hilinski shot himself in the head with a rifle. It’s believed to be the second time he fired a gun.

Before his suicide, Hilinski had been less responsive to calls and text messages but showed no other outward signs that something was amiss, according to his folks.

“Did football kill Tyler? I don’t think so,” Kym Hilinski said in a Sports Illustrated documentary about Tyler’s life. “Did he get CTE from [playing] football? Probably. Was that the only thing that contributed to his death? I don’t know.”

Were he still alive, Hilinski would have competed for Washington State’s starting job in 2018.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.