Curtis Baushke

Who was Curtis Baushke?

  • God given soccer talents
  • Love of fishing and the outdoors
  • Gift of meaningful sports knowledge

When his troubles started?

  • Multiple known concussions
  • Ruptured disc in lower back

Curtis had researched concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and was certain that he had CTE. Five years before his death, Curtis wrote a college paper about concussions.

“CONCUSSIONS – It is not just the pros that have problems!”

By Curtis Baushke – 2009

Concussions range in significance from minor to major, but all share one common factor…they temporarily interfere with the way your brain works.  They can affect memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance and coordination.  Most concussions are caused by some kind of blow to the head.  Concussions don’t always result in loss of conscientiousness.  Oddly enough, most people don’t even black out but this was not the case for me.

I’ve been playing soccer since I was five years old and in my 14 years of playing I have had two major concussions and two mild concussions, all of which I blacked out for more than 10 seconds.  My most severe concussion was when I was fourteen and playing in a regional soccer tournament in the Atlanta, Georgia area.  I was playing fullback and defending our goal, when I went up in the air to win the ball from an opponent.  WHAM, the guy in front of me went up at the same time but instead of bumping heads, he put an elbow right smack into my nose.  I completely blacked out for what I thought was 20 to 30 seconds.  When I finally woke up, I was looking up at the faces of our trainers.  I could see my reflection in one of the trainer’s sunglasses. My nose was broken and resembled something like a “Z” shape and my white jersey was covered in blood.

I thought it couldn’t get any worse than that experience but another bad concussion would find me in my sophomore year of high school.  For our psychical education class we were required to complete a six week bowling program.  When we arrived at the bowling alley, I went to my normal lane and started using one of the house’s bowling balls.  Than another kid in our class came up behind me as I was lining up in the lane and told me to give him that ball.  I ignored him because they were all house balls and everyone had an equal right to use any ball at the alley.  The next thing I know the kid had picked up another ball and swung it at the side of my head.  I collapsed on the lane and blacked out for a few seconds.  When I regained conciseness, there was a burning feeling in my knees and I collapsed again onto the floor.  The doctors told my mother that I had suffered a mild to serious concussion. Concussions are not just a sports related problem; violence in society is also a source.

During my years of playing soccer and other contact sports I have “knocked heads” with other players, elbows, and soccer goals many times.  Winning the soccer ball out of the air at mid-field or scoring soccer goals with my head on corner kicks was my specialty on my teams.  My last and most recent concussion happened during my senior year soccer season.  Once again I was defending our goal and went up for a header.  This time a fellow teammate went up at the same time and the back of his head made contact with my forehead.  I suffered another concussion, more blood and eight stitches above my eyebrow.  The team doctor stitched me up on the sidelines, than I went back into the game because I was needed.

Since I have had many concussions, I started to read up on the research being done for pro athletes who have retired after suffering multiple concussions.  Some of the effects have been long term…I am nineteen years old and have suffered four known concussions (when I blacked out), so this matter effects me.  I would like to know if there is anything that is going to help me with my side effects.  From my head traumas, my side effects have consisted of horrendous migraine headaches and terrible mood swings.  With the most intense migraines it affects my eye sight and balance when I try to stand up.  They hurt so badly that it makes it hard for me to speak or even stand.  Starting my junior-senior year in high school during the day, I usually would have to take some strong medicine, lie down in a dark room and fall asleep hoping it would be gone when I wake up.

More research should be initiated for the study of concussions.  It is not just pro athletes who suffer with problems. It should start with middle school sports all the way through high school and college.  Allowing kids to play too soon after a concussion is very dangerous.  We need to find out the actual damage concussions cause to athletes and ways to protect them.  We should pay more attention to this problem.

There needs to be more research done to figure out what we can do!  I feel this way now…what will it be like when I am older?

An Athlete Felled by Concussions, Despite Playing a ‘Safer’ Sport By Dan Barry, New York Times, June 21, 2015. A version of this article appeared in print on June 22, 2015, on page D1 of the New York Times.

Words written and posted on Facebook by Curtis’ brother Ryan William Baushke the day after Curtis’ death: 

I am at a loss for words…last night my brother Curtis suddenly passed away in his sleep. I am devastated being that I lost my best friend, hunting partner and fishing buddy.  There are always ups and downs in any relationship but no matter what I always could count on him and he would have my back.  Curtis, I know you know this but I love you more than words can describe.  You’re a man of integrity and courage that would give your shirt off your back for anyone.  I will miss you every day, until I see you again in heaven.  I know you’re in a better place and hanging out with the good Lord himself.  May you rest in peace and the good Lord blesses your soul.  I will never forget all the good times…see you next duck season in the blind.  Love you always, your bro.

John Gaal Jr.

John Gaal Jr.: A giver, not a taker

My son, John Stefan Gaal, Jr., was a smart, good-looking, strong, funny, and kind person. He was the second oldest of four children who dearly loved his mother Mary and his two sisters, Dana and Leah, and one brother, Jake. Mom served as his sounding board, Dana as his compass, Jake as his best friend, and Leah as his partner in practical jokes. To me, he was everything I never was as a young man. John grew up loving the outdoors and sports. Although winning was fun, he cherished every opportunity to take the field win or lose, be it baseball, soccer, football, or frolf (frisbee golf).

On and off the field John truly led by example. He played by the rules, believed in helping the underdog, and equally important, despised cheaters. One of the main reasons John left SLUH (St. Louis University High School) after his sophomore year was to gain more playing time in football. Much to his delight at Kennedy Catholic High School, he was cleared early on to play football and soccer – in the same season – during his junior and senior years. In John’s junior year, the boys’ soccer team finished third in the state. One year later, he scored the only goal of his high school career (the only one that mattered) that sent his team again to the final four. Afterwards, John was honored by being named as a Missouri Second Team All-State soccer player.

As a proud papa, I looked forward to watching John and his little brother play soccer and football each and every weekend. Unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge, John suffered four concussions over the course of those two years at Kennedy. Playing both ways as a running back and safety in football and nearly the entire soccer game as a center midfielder exposed my son to dangers most parents were not aware of back in 2009.

It appears that John Jr. suffered from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) which lead to anxiety, depression, and eventually him taking his life on March 24, 2017. Upon his death, we donated his brain to Dr. Ann McKee at the Boston University CTE Center. She is one of the nation’s foremost experts on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). On December 6, 2017, her team concluded that John Jr. suffered from Stage 1 (of 4) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

My son was a giver. He cared dearly about those who did not have supportive and loving families like his. John worked with the mentally ill and often served food to the homeless and underserved in the Columbia, MO, area. On one occasion, a regular patron of his told John she appreciated his PBJ sandwiches but “would give anything for a shower.” John immediately tried desperately to help this woman but to no avail. Whenever he repeated this story his voice would crack and eyes would tear up.

One of his final wishes was not to merely feed the homeless but to bring shower facilities to them. So, in his memory, we created the 21-14 Concussion Awareness Foundation. To date, the 21-14 CAF has provided resources to various regional groups serving the needs of the homeless and underserved (i.e., food, shelter, clothing, showers/laundry, hygiene products, assistance for SUD/OUD and mental health, etc.) as well as funding to military and civilian TBI-related research projects. In addition, each Christmas, John’s friends and family continue to honor his memories by holding clothing/hygiene products/food drives for the needy at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in St. Louis.

John Jr. loved to cook with and for his friends and family. He was known for his backyard slip-and-slide parties and often held fire-pit sessions until the wee hours of the morning. Although I wish my John Jr. was still physically in my presence, I know that his caring spirit lives on through his family and friends far and wide. As his proud papa, I promise to do my best to honor his legacy by stopping the stigma associated with mental illness, addiction, suicide, and CTE.

Make no mistake, my son was a good boy!

John Gaal Jr.’s story was also told in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In it, John Sr. said, “I think we need to stop the stigma of mental illness and raise the awareness of concussions in sports. John paid the ultimate price. I’d give all that pride and glory back to have him here.” You can read that story here.

Suicide is preventable and help is available. If you are concerned that someone in your life may be suicidal, the five #BeThe1To steps are simple actions anyone can take to help someone in crisis. If you are struggling to cope and would like emotional support, call the 988 Lifeline at 988 to connect with a trained counselor. It’s free, confidential, and available to everyone in the United States. You do not have to be suicidal to call. You can also text “HOME” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

If you or someone you know is struggling with concussion or suspected CTE symptoms, reach out to us through the CLF HelpLine. We support patients and families by providing personalized help to those struggling with the outcomes of brain injury. Submit your request today and a dedicated member of the Concussion Legacy Foundation team will be happy to assist you.

Patrick Grange

 

Grange will never be confused with the soccer greats Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, and Ribery who converged on Brazil for the 2014 World Cup, but his impact is felt nonetheless. A high school soccer star in Albuquerque, N.M., Grange played at the collegiate and semi-professional levels. Like many soccer players, throughout his career he often headed the ball. At the age of 28 Grange was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and in 2012, at 29, he died. When researchers examined his brain they found surprising evidence that could have long-term implications for soccer. E:60’s Jeremy Schaap chronicles the life and death of Pat Grange, and his unintended legacy to the game he loved.