Eric Grigsby played offensive guard throughout his football career at Harriman High School and continued through his college career at Carson Newman College and then at Tennessee Technological University. After graduating, he started to realize something wasn’t right with his health. During the last two years of his life, a doctor told him he had symptoms of what is known as probable CTE and as well as PTSD. After his death, his family donated his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank for research. His wish was always to continue helping people in any capacity.
Eric Clifford Grigsby, age 49 of Lenoir City, TN, passed away on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at the Loudon County Hospital in Lenoir City, TN. He was born August 9, 1971 in Harriman, TN. He was a loving, caring, Christian husband and son. He tried to help everyone he came into contact with.
Eric played offensive guard throughout his football career at Harriman High School and continued through his college career at Carson Newman College and then at Tennessee Technological University. While attending college he started his own business for 19 years known as “Grigsby Militaria.” After graduating college and continuing his business he started to realize something wasn’t right with his health. He needed help but didn’t know what kind of help. As time went on the last two years of his life, a doctor told him he had symptoms of what is known as CTE and he also had PTSD. Eric was put on medications that helped but didn’t cure the problems. After his death he became one of the Legacy Donors at the UNITE Brain Bank. He wanted to still be able to continue to help people.
Although we can’t yet accurately diagnose CTE in living people, a specialist can help treat the symptoms presenting the most challenges.
Those struggling with suspected CTE aren’t the only ones who need support. View tools and resources for CTE caregivers.