B.J. Penn, a UFC Hall of Famer, has once again ignited controversy with his views on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Penn, well-known for securing world titles across two weight divisions, has had his legacy somewhat blurred by a number of bewildering remarks – such as his denial of dinosaurs.
And now, he’s added CTE denial to the list.
Symptoms of CTE, which can manifest in stages and typically emerge years after repeated mild brain injuries, include behavioral changes, mood disturbances, and cognitive difficulties.
Penn, however, denies not only having the symptoms of CTE himself – but the very existence of the condition.
Here’s what he had to say on Instagram:
Do I have to keep telling you how fake CTE is?
Ali, Frazier, Norton, foreman, Hagler, duran, Leonard, and Hearns never had it and they got a million times more than me each.CTE lies are to cover up murders. Don’t make me tell you again kid.
Guys claim to want to normalize talking about mental health, but the moment you ask about the holes in their brain pic.twitter.com/LkxzBgyU55
— Jack Slack (@JackSlackMMA) November 6, 2023
It hasn’t been the first time Penn has refuted CTE:
For everyone blaming CTE, BJ Penn has a rebuttal. pic.twitter.com/aNtGrL6HQm
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) July 17, 2023
