Sports fans were shocked, but probably not surprised, to hear that former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez had a severe case of CTE. Its formal name is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Whatever it’s called, however, CTE is a living hell for sufferers and their loved ones as well.

As you may recall, Hernandez was in prison for murder when he hanged himself in his cell. He was only 27. Let that sink in. Only 27. Yet a researcher at the CTE Center in Boston stated that Hernandez’s condition was already severe, at stage 3 of 4. In addition, Hernandez’s attorney, Jose Baez, said, “We’re told it was the most severe case they had ever seen for someone of Aaron’s age.”

Moreover, Dr. Bennet Omalu, who drove extensive research into the relationship between football and CTE, believes that CTE accounted for Hernandez’s violent streak, as well as his suicide. He said:

“I am yet to examine the brain of professional football player who does not have CTE or other forms of brain damage. And we have always known for centuries that if you suffer forceful and/or repetitive blows to your head in whatever human activity, you will suffer brain damage.”

So what is CTE, and what does it do to the brain? Here’s what happens. It’s not pretty:

Now Hernandez’s family is suing the NFL and the Patriots for a whopping $20 million. The suit is on behalf of Hernandez’s 4-year-old daughter. As the lawsuit reads, in part:

“Aaron Hernandez succumbed to the symptoms of CTE. As a result of the defendants’ conduct and the injury experienced by Aaron, Avielle Hernandez was deprived of the love, affect, society and companionship of her father while he was alive.”

The NFL, however, is not taking the suit lying down. They plan to “vigorously” contest the lawsuit. And for the family, it doesn’t look too good. There are too many legal variables entering into the lawsuit.

A legal expert from Sports Illustrated explains why this lawsuit is uphill for the family:

Yet the lawsuit is another blow to the NFL. Attendance at pro games is way down this year, perhaps due to the political showboating of many of the players. For example, the Los Angeles Rams played their home opener before a measly crowd of only 25,000 people. The stadium can hold up to four times that amount. And on Thursday night’s game featuring the Rams vs. the San Francisco 49ers, there appeared to be more empty than occupied seats right before game time.

https://twitter.com/kentphotos/status/911018640232767488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fnfl-attendance-down-2017-9

However, college football attendance is up. Football fans seem eager to embrace college ball instead, but does CTE start at the college level? Or even earlier?

The attendance for the USC game was more than the Chargers and Rams' attendances combined. pic.twitter.com/Pt96Vec5n4

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 18, 2017

Between politics and CTE, are we seeing a death knell to the popularity of professional football? I’ll probably continue to watch my Kansas City Chiefs on TV, but it won’t be without some nagging guilt feelings. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. And I’ll raise grandmotherly objections in case my little grandson decides to eventually play football. Right now his daddy is directing him towards baseball — a sport he played growing up — and for that I feel a lot of relief.