Jason Hairston Founder of Kuiu deceased

[hawks33]

CTE doesn't start in the NFL Tony, most of these nfl players began football as children in youth football. While the hits are not as severe, the progression through high school and college of repeated blows to the head have an impact on not only the brains cognitive ability but this damage is to a developing brain...he was a child when he likely started.  For a player that played LB, as I did, you take and give a lot of hits and concussions 10, 20, 50 years ago were just a part of the game if they even labeled it as a concussion. We just "walked it off" right? The worst thing for a concussion is to take additional damage to the brain when recovering from one. I know playing football has effected me, I cant imagine how some of these nfl and college players have been effected.

Theres a lot of information out there on CTE, take some time to read up. Good luck hunting, be sure to wear your helmet.

[cbond3318]

No excuse for what he did. No excuse for doing it in a manner that allowed the chance of his young boys to find him like that. Suicide does not stop the pain, it forces it upon those they leave behind. Forces them  to live a life carrying your burdens for you. Shameful.


There is an epidemic in this country. Children as young as 5 yrs old contemplating or attempting to end their lives, let that sink in. We should be angry everytime we hear something like this or experience it within our lives.

The "why" is always different but the results are all the same, Pain and suffering for the ones left behind.

I am so sorry for his Family and especially his 2 sons.

[huntnfmly]

@cbond
Sounds as if suicide may have touched your family or friends and if so I'm sorry for your loss.
  1 of the symptoms of CTE is impulse control and it is very sad to think that Jason could have had one of those moments and took his life To me thats even sadder

[Stein]

CTE is serious, I would hope that whether this is at play or not that the level of respect due a human being would be extended at least until the facts are out.

CTE physically changes your brain, it is obvious on autopsy the damage done.  Hundreds of NFL players have suffered the same fate and untold numbers continue to battle with it today.  If your brain is physically damaged, you don't have a choice to have issues.  It's similar to criticizing some guy with Down Syndrome who can't function normally because he isn't trying hard enough or is self centered.

I don't know the first thing about the guy, but he made it into the NFL, founded one of the most successful companies in the industry and then did it again.  While doing this he continued to be an avid sportsman as well as hunting with the White House and securing a job promoting our passion with the Department of Interior.  From my ignorant perspective (not knowing much), it seems like he was an incredibly driven and successful guy.

[Fl0und3rz]

I have not seen that until now. Very sad.

It’s in “our story” tab of the Kuiu site. 

 Don’t know the guy, never met him, but for some reason it hit home.  May his family and friends be able to heal from this tragedy.

This.  RIP.  My condolences to his family and friends.

[cbond3318]

@cbond
Sounds as if suicide may have touched your family or friends and if so I'm sorry for your loss.
  1 of the symptoms of CTE is impulse control and it is very sad to think that Jason could have had one of those moments and took his life To me thats even sadder

It has, a few times. Which is an all too common trait these days and currently at this point in my life, I can only find anger towards the deciders and deep, deep sadness for those left to pick up the pieces.

All we will ever know as fact is that those who commit suicide, chose too.

[Gringo31]

I think along the lines of cbond.

Permanent solution to a temporary problem and their own desire to quit overcame the caring of what it did to their loved ones.  It's not all about "you".  Living life for oneself can be dangerous.  .02

[huntnfmly]

The thing with CTE is the impulse problem  and thought process  I don't think it is them necessarily actually deciding to quit but not really being able to stop or really know what they're doing at that moment imo.
From what I've been reading about it seems like CTE is kinda like depression on steroids

[elkaholic123]

I think along the lines of cbond.

Permanent solution to a temporary problem and their own desire to quit overcame the caring of what it did to their loved ones.  It's not all about "you".  Living life for oneself can be dangerous.  .02

Nothing temporary about CTE 

[opdinkslayer]

While it’s easy to say suicide is nothing but a selfish act, I think it’s equally selfish to judge someone with severe depression,mental health issues or a brain injury like cte. Of all the advancements in medical technology, the brain & mental illness is still in the stone ages. Think twice before judging people for something possibly out of their control.

Again prayers to the family and thanks to Jason for all he did for the sport we love! RIP

[addicted2hunting]

I think along the lines of cbond.

Permanent solution to a temporary problem and their own desire to quit overcame the caring of what it did to their loved ones.  It's not all about "you".  Living life for oneself can be dangerous.  .02

For some it isn't a temporary problem...

[Antlershed]

I don’t know the first thing about CTE and exactly how it affects the brain, but it doesn’t seem the same as depression. I know someone who used to be close that battles depression and has tried to end it 2-3 times, but refuses to seek help. I don’t think it’s that easy to just “seek help” for those with CTE though.

Thoughts go out to Jason’s Family and friends.

[TVHunts]

While it’s easy to say suicide is nothing but a selfish act, I think it’s equally selfish to judge someone with severe depression,mental health issues or a brain injury like cte. Of all the advancements in medical technology, the brain & mental illness is still in the stone ages. Think twice before judging people for something possibly out of their control.

Again prayers to the family and thanks to Jason for all he did for the sport we love! RIP

Well said!

[Jpmiller]

I'm not a big fan of suicide. If I was depressed and just up and left my family with no word and disappeared from their life forever would people defend me? If I disregard my own life and allow them to find my lifeless corpse they would.

It's incredibly sad this man was in a state that he thought this was a good option. It's even sadder that his family and friends now can carry this experience and the baggage it brings for the rest of their lives. Depression and other mental disorders are no joke and are serious issues but I can't see defending suicide because of them.

[shallowforks]

People dont consider suicide a good option, they consider it theyre ONLY option. Judge judge judge, is that all any of you can do? Rest in Peace Jason. To his family I am deeply sorry for your loss.