CTE bill honors ex-Miamisburg football player who suffered seizure, drowned

A state lawmaker wants to honor a deceased Miamisburg High School graduate as part of a bill focusing on a disease that in recent years has been linked to football.

House Bill 485 – called Cody’s bill - would designate Jan. 30 as “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Awareness Day” in memory of Cody Hamblin, a 22-year-old former Miamisburg High School football player.

Hamblin died May 29, 2016, in a drowning during which he suffered a seizure that CTE – caused by blows to the brain — contributed to, according to state Rep. Niraj Antani, who introduced the legislation Tuesday.

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Hambin earned his associate’s degree in December 2015 from Ohio University and was continuing with classes at OU in to graduate the following spring with a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and sustainability.

“Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a disease that can affect a wide range of Ohioans; athletes, military service members, and survivors of domestic violence. It is important that we bring awareness to this issue,” according to Antani.

The controversy around CTE has also led to concussion protocols in football and lawsuits by former National Football League players.

“Establishing CTE Awareness Day on an annual basis will help preserve the memory of Cody and all others affected by CTE. We need people to know about CTE in order to minimize others from being affected by it like Cody was,” according to Heidi Hamblin, Cody Hamblin’s sister.

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