During a conversation on social media last week, Jason Kelce admitted he thinks it’s likely he has CTE.

While speaking on the New Heights podcast, the former Eagles center suggested that racehorse Secretariat was on steroids. Afterward, he faced backlash on social media and the topic of CTE was brought up by a former racehorse reporter.

“I mean I can virtually guarantee that I have CTE, all the research would suggest I have some degree of it,” Kelce wrote. “I think it is entirely reasonable to assume I have some degree of that pathology.”“I understand, I dont take offense at all. what I’m saying is that it’s completely reasonable to think I have CTE. Even though there is no test to see if I currently have CTE, The evidence suggests I probably do. Just like the reality that a lot, if not most of the high level horses of the 70s and 80s were doping because adequate tests were not available. But it really doesn’t accomplish anything to bring this up, I don’t know why I started, Secretariat was still a fantastic horse and legendary specimen.”

CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a degenerative brain disease that has contributed to the death of many former NFL players, is caused by repeated blows to the head. It’s emerged as a premier issue for the league and has impacted generations of football players.

A statement like that from a widely-adored former player will certainly grab the attention of fans, as well as the NFL as it tries to implement rules to avoid head-to-head contact between players.