Conrad Dobler’s wife fell out of a hammock and became paralyzed from the neck down.
Former Pro Bowl guard Conrad Dobler, once dubbed the NFL’s dirtiest player, had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of his death in 2023, his family announced through the Concussion Legacy Foundation on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
Highlights
- Conrad Dobler’s family announced that he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy at the time of his death.
- Dobler was married to Joy Dobler, who got paralyzed after she fell from the flipped hammock.
- He had three children with his second wife, Joy, and three with his first wife, Linda.
Conrad was diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE by researchers at the Boston University CTE Center. Dobler’s daughter Erin said,
“My dad loved the game of football, but his love for the game took a toll on his body, his mind, and his relationships,” “His CTE diagnosis provides a sense of closure in terms of justifying his neurological and behavioral issues that took a toll not only on him but on all of us who loved and cared for him. We are relieved to have a definitive answer and proud to honor his wish to go public with the findings to raise awareness for the risks of repetitive head trauma and for the research being done at Boston University.”
Erin Lewin
In 2010, Dobler had pledged to donate his brain to the BU CTE Center.
According to the news release, he had a subtype of the disease cortical sparing CTE, which was discovered in 2024 and is marked by slightly less severe cognitive symptoms but earlier onset of behavioral symptoms.
Dobler died on February 13, 2023, at 73. He was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection in a 10-year career with the St. Louis Cardinal (1972-77), New Orleans Saints (1978-79) and Buffalo Bills (1780-81).
He was the left guard on a Cardinals offensive line, including Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf. In a statement, Dierdorf said,
“Conrad started as my teammate and ultimately became my brother,” “It broke my heart to watch him struggle and slowly slip away. He was a force of nature… until he wasn’t.”
Dan Dierdorf
Conrad Dobler Kept His Home Near Kansas City On Sale To Pay His Wife’s Medical Expenses
The late American football player Conrad Dobler married Joy V. Dobler in 1988. However, little is revealed about their relationship timeline.
Joy was born on January 10, 1957, in Lafayette, LA, and lived in the KC area since 1989.
She was a registered nurse whose entrepreneurial spirit has driven her to build two successful companies, Mobile Health Clinics.
She started the St. Thomas More booster club to raise money and awareness for Spinal Cord Research.
In 2001, Joy developed paraplegia after she fell from a flipped hammock, severing her spinal cord.
Her medical expenses topped $500,000, forcing the Doblers to put their home near Kansas City, Mo., up for sale.
The Buffalo Bills also offered to help Conrad, an offensive lineman for the Bills and St. Louis Cardinals in the 1970s, with his wife’s medical bills.
Sadly, Joy and Conrad’s married life ended after 30 years following the tragic death of Joy.
Joy died on March 4, 2018, at the age of 61. The visitation was held on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Kansa City, MO.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 9, 2025.
In addition, as per the source, Conrad was previously married to Linda Dobler, with whom he had three children: Mark Dobbler, Erin Lewin, and Abbey Palma.
Linda was raised on a Wyoming ranch and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wyoming.
Former St. Louis Cardinals OL Conrad Dobler Had Three Children With Joy Dobler
Conrad Dobler and Joy Dobler were blessed with three children: Franco Oliver, Holli Dobler, and Stephen Dobler.
Franco Oliver is married to Molly, with whom he shares one son named Dash.
Holli Dobler was a sophomore at Miami University in Ohio. She is married to Jarrod Williams and lives in Overland Park, Kansas.
Stephen Dobler is married to Haylie Dobler. Joy’s stepson, Mark Dobler, is married to Dina, with whom he shares four children: Jordin, Zane, Kinsey, and Franni.
Joy’s stepdaughter Erin Lewin is married to Chad and shares two children: Mati and Brady.
Her second stepdaughter, Abbey Palma, is married to Casey and lives with their three children: Max, Jack, and Margot.
Additional Information
- Conrad Dobler attended the University of Wyoming on an athletic scholarship, playing offensive guard and defensive tackle for the Cowboys.
- He completed a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wyoming in 1972.
- Dobler was proclaimed “Pro Football’s Dirtiest Player” with a 1977 cover story in Sports Illustrated magazine and was the author of a 1988 memoir, The Call Me Dirty.
