Frank Wycheck’s family confirmed the CTE diagnosis in a statement released 13 months after his demise on December 9, 2023.
Frank John Wycheck was an American professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins, and as a professional, Wycheck played 11 seasons for the Washington Redskins, and Tennessee Titans.
Moreover, Frank spent time as a professional wrestler and was the color commentator on the Tennessee Titans Radio Network from 2005 to 2016.
Highlights
- Frank Wycheck was an American professional football player who played as a tight end in the NFL.
- Frank passed away on December 9, 2023, at 52, following a brain injury and CTE after a fall in his home.
- Wycheck had two daughters, Deanna Wycheck Szabo and Madison Wycheck Nowell.
Frank Wycheck passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the age of 52. According to the family’s statement, he fell inside his Chattanooga, Tennessee home, hit his head, and was later found unresponsive.
Wycheck is survived by his two daughters, Deanna and Madison, their spouses, and his grandchildren, Leo, Stevie, and August.
It is reported that, per Frank’s request, his family plans to work with experts for his brain injury and CTE, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
Apparently, there has been a study on Wycheck’s brain at Boston University’s CTE Center. On January 9, 2025, his family recently confirmed that the former Titans suffered CTE Stage III.
The family of former @Titans TE Frank Wycheck has confirmed the positive diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Stage III after research following his death in 2023.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 9, 2025
More information released by Wycheck’s family: pic.twitter.com/YaLLw6wo91
Indiana University School of Medicine defines CTE as a progressive degenerative disease affecting people who have suffered repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
The former tight end once said he suffered at least 25 concussions during his playing career.
Regarding Frank Wycheck’s CTE Stage III diagnosis, his daughter, Deanna Wycheck Szabo, stated,
We witnessed our father becoming increasingly isolated and experiencing drastic mood swings. He became more impulsive, and often inconsistent and undependable, Now in hindsight, I understand that he was suffering from the symptoms of CTE due to the repeated trauma his brain and body endured over 11 seasons in the NFL.”
Deanna Wycheck Szabo
Furthermore, Wycheck’s family also said they are grateful for this diagnosis. Similarly, they believe further highlights the concerns around CTE in contact sports like Football. His daughter Deanna said,
Our family is grateful to learn of his confirmed CTE diagnosis in hopes to continue our father’s desire to bring awareness, increased intervention, education, and support for NFL alumni and their families related to CTE
Deanna Wycheck Szabo
Frank Wycheck Had His Two Daughter Deanna Wycheck Szabo And Madison Wycheck Nowell, With His Ex-Wife Cherryn Krol
Former Tennessee Titans tight end married his former wife, Cherryn Krol, in 1995. They had two children, Deanna Wycheck Szabo, born in 1991, and Madison Wycheck Nowell, born in 1997.
After about 14 years of marriage, Frank and Cherryn divorced in 2009 and decided to co-parent their two daughters.
Frank Wycheck’s elder daughter, Deanna Wycheck Szabo, is a licensed professional counselor.
She consults with clients seeking therapy on work issues, anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, and relationship conflicts.
According to her profile in Psychology Today, Deanna has over seven years of experience working in residential drug and alcohol treatment.
Moreover, Deanna is married to her husband, Cole Szabo, and the mother of two sons.
little girls all grown up #timeflies pic.twitter.com/h4Pz9FjgSD
— Frank Wycheck (@FrankWycheck1) July 15, 2014
Similarly, the younger daughter of Frank Wycheck, Madison Wycheck Nowell, is a mother of a son. She runs a horse ranch with her husband, Cullen Nowell.
Frank’s youngest child, Nowell, was always worried about her father when he retired. She used to take a record of whether he was eating, drinking enough water, or making her appointments.
Moreover, despite Wycheck’s CTE diagnosis and his passing at the age of 52, Madison thanks god her father is with her in her memorable life events. She stated,
Regardless of his CTE symptoms, I will always believe that God intervened to allow him the opportunity to enjoy our weddings, his grandkids, and all other things he truly wanted to be a part of before he left us.
Madison Wycheck Nowell
Additional Information
- According to The US Sun, the estimated net worth of Frank Wycheck at the time of his demise was approximately $700K.
- In the 1994 NFL season, Wycheck was suspended for the final four games by the league after testing positive for anabolic steroids.
- In 2007, Frank Wycheck made several wrestling appearances. He shared the octagon with the star wrestlers like James Storm, Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Lynn, and Ron Killings.
