San Francisco, CA – October 11, 2025
The NFL has long faced scrutiny over the toll repeated head trauma takes on players. Countless retirees have been diagnosed with dementia or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), devastating families and raising urgent questions about the game’s future.
From Hall of Famers to journeymen, the stories are hauntingly similar: sharp minds dulled, personalities changed, memories erased. For fans, it’s a reminder that the collisions celebrated on Sundays carry lifelong consequences far beyond the field.
Now, the 49ers family faces its own heartbreak. Charles Haley, one of San Francisco’s all-time great defenders, has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at just 61. His condition has progressed rapidly, leaving him unable to speak.
Haley’s résumé is storied. He played from 1986 to 1991 and briefly in 1998-99 for San Francisco, piling up 66.5 sacks — among the highest in franchise history. A ferocious pass-rusher, he helped guide the team to multiple Super Bowl victories during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015 and a five-time Pro Bowler, Haley embodied leadership without headlines. NFL.com once called him a “dominant, relentless force,” cherished by teammates and coaches alike.
Life after football was quieter. Haley mentored young players, stayed active in his community, and prioritized family. Unlike many stars, he rarely sought the national spotlight, content to live privately with humility.
His wife described the heartbreaking present: “He can’t speak anymore. He only remembers our daughter’s name and that he once played football for the 49ers. He doesn’t even know my name.”
Doctors have diagnosed frontotemporal dementia. “He’s far too young,” his wife said. “I believe constant head trauma from CTE caused it.” The 49ers community now rallies to honor his legacy while confronting football’s harshest reality.
