Big men with broken minds: The largely forgotten faces of the Patriots franchise

10/28/2017 - Canton, MA - Donna Lenkaitis, cq, is the widow of former Patriots player, Bill Lenkaitis, who died over a year ago, and was diagnosed posthumously with advanced CTE. She is close with Terri Johnson, whose husband (still living) is a former Patriots player suffering from CTE symptoms. They met at Johnson's home in Canton, MA on Saturday, October 28, 2017. Photo by Dina Rudick/Globe Staff

Dina Rudick/Globe Staff

For almost every ailing player, there has been a family suffering in the shadows, sharing the anguish of a once-vibrant athlete who has been sapped of his faculties. Only in recent years have survivors come to understand why.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/25/BostonGlobe.com/ReceivedContent/Images/Mercer.jpg The Mercers bring their politics, and millions, to Massachusetts

Mercer money has found its way to the shores of Massachusetts.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/28/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/d691491f29e34e6fa6588208b9e60195-c20aa4cac4954a2a8ca75dac0b2ea3d0-0.jpg Trump confident ex-aides don?t have evidence against him, lawyer says

The president is confident that neither Paul Manafort nor Michael Flynn has damaging information about him.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/28/BostonGlobe.com/Politics/Images/0fb454f95aae47ca85cf1430184c94a2-0fb454f95aae47ca85cf1430184c94a2-0.jpg Trump dossier was result of website with GOP connections

A conservative website with ties to the Republican establishment wanted to look into then-candidate Donald Trump?s background for negative information.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/27/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/BHwhereitlanded1.jpg Safety fears mount as bounce house injuries rise

The estimated number of injuries on the inflatable attractions soared from 5,311 in 2003 to 17,377 in 2013.

DAN SHAUGHNESSY

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/28/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/shaughnessy-13556.jpg MLB displays classic case of weakness with Gurriel slur

Rob Manfred fell short of making the powerful statement of punishing Yuli Gurriel during the Fall Classic.

epa03647069 Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (C-L) and New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (R) shake hands before the start of their teams games during Opening Day at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx, NY, USA, 01 April 2013. EPA/JASON SZENES

NICK CAFARDO | SUNDAY BASEBALL NOTES

?It?s getting more and more ruthless?: The reality of managing in a big market

Playoff berths weren?t enough to prevent John Farrell, Dusty Baker, and Joe Girardi from losing their jobs.

Kings 2, Bruins 1 (OT)

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/29/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/Tlumacki_bruinsvsLAkings_sports839.jpg Kings topple Bruins with last-second goal

Tyler Toffoli scored his second goal of the game as the buzzer sounded at the end of overtime.

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) looks for an open teammate past Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Wilfredo Lee/AP

CELTICS 96, HEAT 90

Kyrie Irving, Celtics hold off the Heat

The All-Star guard scored 7 points in the final 2:02 as the Celtics turned back Miami?s fourth-quarter rally.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/28/BostonGlobe.com/Regional/Images/2017_10-28_climate__01.jpg Boston plans strategies to lessen effects of climate change

The city of Boston unveiled plans Saturday to protect parts of East Boston and Charlestown from flooding caused by climate change.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/29/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/c4077ca8-bd99-4978-8a6b-913c9f9f7cf4.jpg Trump tweets remaining JFK files ?are released, long ahead of schedule?

He said he was releasing the files in the interest of ?full disclosure, transparency,? and to put all conspiracy theories to rest.

Women & Power

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/27/BostonGlobe.com/Magazine/Images/women1029logo[1]-2901-U833541109187Z7C--90x90@BostonGlobe.com.jpg The 2017 top 100 women-led businesses in Massachusetts

The Commonwealth Institute and the Globe Magazine partner to name the most noteworthy companies and nonprofits helmed by women.

STAT Special

STAT

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/29/BostonGlobe.com/HealthScience/Images/Immunotherapy_008.jpg Are doctors pushing off hard talks too long?

Doctors who counsel immunotherapy, experts say, are postponing conversations about end-of-life wishes with their patients ? sometimes, until it?s too late.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/29/BostonGlobe.com/HealthScience/Images/Jan.jpg My sister?s cancer might have been diagnosed sooner . . .

Several studies show that many physicians consider the time spent with obese patients a waste, and they don?t hesitate to broadcast their biases in the examining room.

World Series Game 4: Dodgers 6, Astros 2

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/29/BostonGlobe.com/Sports/Images/5d0a5a2a6bfb42729e04d00218c783d2-5d0a5a2a6bfb42729e04d00218c783d2-0.jpg Dodgers erupt in ninth, beat Astros to even series

Joc Pederson?s three-run homer capped a five-run ninth that tied the series at 2-2.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/28/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/wiggs_Halloween_720373.jpg Costumed creatures take over Salem as police work to ensure safety

Thousands of costumed visitors descended upon this historic ?Witch City? for its Halloween celebration.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/25/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/wiggs_Rain_01.jpg Storm to slam southern New England before clearing off for Halloween

Showers are expected to reach Boston Sunday afternoon and strengthen to downpours during the evening.

Skydiver killed in Pepperell

A 60-year-old man was killed after his parachute apparently malfunctioned, authorities said.

Organizers of free speech rally planned for next month will go ahead despite denial of permit

?We have a right to peaceably assemble under the 1st amendment of the Constitution and we will exercise that right,? said the group. 

A device called a ?bump stock? was attached to a semiautomatic rifle at the Gun Vault store and shooting range in Utah earlier this month.

Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

As thoughts of Vegas fade, gun bills slow

A ban on the device widely blamed for the number of victims in a Las Vegas shooting has become mired in bureaucracy.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/08/17/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/Walker_081717_18teens_14903.jpg Remember the TD Garden teen sleuths? City Hall is giving them $2 million

The group of teenagers with the Hyde Square Task Force are trying to raise $30 million.

Yvonne Abraham

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/01/28/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/abrahamy.jpg Women describe climate of harassment at Mass. State House

A dozen women who have worked in and around the State House over the past two decades described a climate of harassment and sexual misconduct.

Actress Rose McGowan raises her fist Friday at the Women?s Convention in Detroit.

RENA LAVERTY/AFP/Getty Images

McGowan turned down Weinstein?s hush money, and found a fiery voice

The actress?s lawyer said she considered an offer that suggested just how desperate the Hollywood producer had become.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/28/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/59c2e4bd87b4478f8e3156733ad1f414-ec2ca6d7f3b444ae8b3cf55498fc1a1f-0.jpg Annabella Sciorra says she was raped by Harvey Weinstein

Sciorra said Weinstein barged his way into her apartment in the 1990s and raped her.

Pallbearers carried the casket to the funeral Mass for Javian Candolario at St. Michael Church in Lowell.

Jonathan Wiggs/globe staff

Boy killed by pit bulls in Lowell is mourned at funeral

Mourners wore T-shirts that showed the smiling face of the little boy they had come to bury: 7-year-old Javian Candolario.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2016/08/09/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/160808annlepage0277.jpg Maine?s first lady says Bannon lobbied her for Senate run

Ann LePage says Stephen Bannon has lobbied her to run for a US Senate seat in Maine next year.

globe staff file photo

Starts & Stops

Are the days of free residential parking in Boston numbered?

A key city councilor wants to at least talk about it.

Hunter shot and killed by another hunter in Maine

Authorities say a hunter has been shot and killed by another hunter in Hebron, Maine.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/09/28/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/Image%20Tease%20Place%20Holder.png The Season Ticket podcast

Trenni Kusnierek joins host Chris Gasper to talk about the Celtics? winning streak and sexism in the sports media.

Follow:   iTunes   |   Stitcher   |   RSS

 

Newsletters

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/23/BostonGlobe.com/Magazine/Images/Globe-Magazine-cover-4.jpg Coming soon: The Magazine

The Sunday Magazine newsletter will feature an engaging blend of narrative journalism, opinion, lifestyle, travel, recipes, and advice. Sign up now.

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Get the latest news ? from weather to Trump to local happenings ? delivered via Facebook messenger.

Special reports

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/06/BostonGlobe.com/Spotlight/Images/Tlumacki_vietnamveteranwilliamnutter_spotlight086.jpg Nurse?s aide plays video games while a vet dies at VA hospital

The Bedford VA hospital admitted its care for Bill Nutter was not ?up to our standards,? but the reality was uglier. Now, the FBI is investigating.

Opinion & Ideas

EDITORIAL

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/27/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/7abcbe66a68f4de4b25c1d348ecfbb29-7abcbe66a68f4de4b25c1d348ecfbb29-0.jpg Jeff Sessions gets it only half-right on LGBT rights

As a senator, Sessions voted against extending hate-crime legislation to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Confidential tips

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/05/22/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/spotlight.jpg Have an investigative news tip?

Do you know about wrongdoing that needs to be exposed? Call the Globe Spotlight team: 617-929-7483 or [email protected].

The Amazon bid

newsroom commentary

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/13/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/drone-5771.jpg Dear Jeff Bezos: Come and help us build a better Boston together

An open letter to the owner of Amazon, proposing a true partnership that rewrites the relationship between a city and the big companies that call it home.

STAT

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/10/27/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/CAR-T%20kite.jpg The fantastic voyage of a bag of cells hot-wired to kill cancer

Wiring cells to kill cancer takes a month and requires a team of 150 doctors, nurses, scientists, and couriers.

Crossword

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2017/08/21/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/crossword.jpg Play the crossword

Puzzled? Keep trying and see if you can triumph.

Real Estate

An eclectic Colonial Revival in Cambridge sold for $7.4 million this week

Built in 1888, the Joseph Thorp House in Cambridge has quite the history, including most recently being home to the former US ambassador to Austria. It sold for $7,400,000 on Friday, Oct. 20, making it the region's biggest sale this week.