Kosta Karageorge Cause of Death: Footballer Found Dead in Apparent Suicide

After being missing for several days, the body of Kosta Karageorge, who played football for Ohio State University, was found in a dumpster. According to the initial police report he was suspected to have died from a self inflicted gunshot to the head.

An extensive search was launched for Karageorge when he left his apartment on a cold night and did not return the following morning. His family was the first to report him missing, saying that he had been "distraught" after suffering from his last concussion.

Karageorge, the defensive linesman for OSU, had suffered multiple concussions while playing and as a result was experiencing spells of confusion. These details were provided by his mother Susan who noted that just before Karageorge disappeared he had sent her a text message. In it he stated that the "concussions had messed up his head" and he felt he was an "embarrassment."

Since the news of Karageorge's death was announced, OSU has not officially commented on the speculation that his repeated concussions were to blame for his death. The coach of the football team Urban Meyer said they were concerned about his death but could not comment about the treatment received by players on the team.

Karageorge's family stated that after each of his injuries on the field he was checked by trainers on the OSU team. However, they said the problems resulting from the concussions only occurred after the injuries. This led the coroner to order an examination of Karageorge's brain for any signs of injury.

If injuries resulting from the concussions are noted in Karageorge's brain, it could give weight to the increasing evidence that concussions happening repeatedly over a period of time can lead to permanent brain damage.

Recently the NFL agreed to make payments to thousands of football players who were injured after suffering concussions. The settlement was authorized by the judge only after the NFL lifted the $675-million limitation on damages.