National Football League

Ex-Bears QB McMahon has memory loss

Published Nov. 10, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon revealed that he is suffering from memory loss as a result of injuries sustained during his playing days, the Huffington Post reported Wednesday.

McMahon's comments were initially reported by the Chicago Tribune on Friday.

"Back then, it was just tape an aspirin to your helmet and you go back in," McMahon said Friday at the reunion of the Super Bowl XX-winning Bears team. "I've worked with some neurosurgeons and it's a very serious thing, man.

"My memory's pretty much gone. There are a lot of times when I walk into a room and forget why I walked in there. I'm going through some studies right now and I am going to do a brain scan. It's unfortunate what the game does to you."

McMahon, now 51, is remembered by many football fans for his trademark sunglasses, which he wore due to a retina injury that he sustained as a child.

He quarterbacked the Bears to the Super Bowl championship over the New England Patriots in 1986. He played in 120 games over 15 NFL seasons until 1996.

The issue of head injuries has been front and center during this NFL season, as the league has cracked down on helmet-to-helmet hits and hits on defenseless players.

The league is aiming to reduce the number of concussions, which have been linked to serious neurological issues for players later in life.

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