Family has “no plans” to donate Gordie Howe’s brain for concussion research

The Canadian Press caused quite a stir when they supposedly made too-big a story out of Gordie Howe’s “mild cognitive impairment,” indicating that Mr. Hockey is fighting dementia.

With all that discussion about Howe’s cognitive functions, perhaps it only makes sense that some are asking if his family will donate the legend’s brain to concussion researchers once he dies – much like Bob Probert and other deceased players’ loved ones opted to do. Marty Howe told The Globe & Mail’s David Shoalts that the family hasn’t had that discussion, but his “opinion is it probably wouldn’t happen.”

Marty Howe didn’t really expand on that, but it’s ultimately the family’s choice. Interestingly enough, Howe did say that he believes concussions have contributed to his father’s condition – whatever you want to call it – so perhaps that stance might change with time.