Fred McNeill was a "medical first" because he was one of the first former NFL players to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) while still alive. CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has been linked to repetitive head traumas, such as those experienced in contact sports like football. The diagnosis of CTE in McNeill while he was still alive allowed researchers to study the progression of the disease and gain valuable insights into its early stages and symptoms. This made him a significant figure in the field of sports-related brain injuries and highlighted the importance of further research and understanding of CTE.
