A year after rodeo legend Pete Kennedy's death, his family finally received answers.

His brain was donated to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, where scientists searched for evidence of CTE and the lasting effects of repeated head impacts.

What they discovered brought validation, new questions, and a deeper understanding of the invisible struggles Pete faced.

When rodeo cowboy Pete Kennedy tragically lost his life, his family was left searching for answers.

In this powerful follow-up episode, Pete's son KC Kennedy returns to The HeadRush Podcast alongside neuropathologist Dr. Julia Kofler from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Pathology—the physician who personally examined Pete's brain after it was donated for research.

Together, they walk through the brain donation process, the autopsy findings, what researchers discovered, and the difficult reality that science is still uncovering the full impact of repeated head trauma.

This conversation explores CTE, traumatic brain injury, mental health, grief, brain donation, and the urgent need for continued research. It also highlights the courage of families who choose to turn tragedy into knowledge that may help future generations of athletes, veterans, and anyone exposed to repeated head impacts.

Whether you're a parent, athlete, coach, veteran, medical professional, or someone seeking answers about brain health, this episode is an important reminder that awareness, research, and hope continue to move us forward.

Topics Covered:
• Pete Kennedy's brain donation
• CTE research and diagnosis
• Repeated head impacts in rodeo
• Mental health and brain trauma
• Brain banking and autopsy science
• The role of families in advancing research
• Hope for future generations

Supported by:
Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | Paradise Behavioral Health | MC Wellness

If these conversations matter to you, please support The HeadRush Foundation and help us continue raising awareness, education, and hope for those affected by brain trauma.