Jevan Snead’s recent death could add to the ongoing discussion around progressive degenerative brain disease. The family of the former Texas and Ole Miss quarterback has donated his brain to research.

Snead died last month in Austin, Texas. He was 32.

Snead played at Stephenville High School for Arkansas coach Chad Morris. He was one of the nation’s highest-rated passers in the 2006 recruiting class before he signed with Mack Brown’s Texas program. Snead eventually left Texas for Ole Miss, where he started for the Rebels.

Snead’s sister Jennah Walker told the Stephenville Empire-Tribune that the family suspects Snead suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, commonly called CTE, a degenerative brain disease caused by repetitive brain trauma that is common in football players. The family hopes to raise awareness about the disease.

“That was Jevan’s wish,” Walker said via the Austin American-Statesman. “He always thought he had CTE because he had so many of the symptoms.”

Rhyne and Sarah Gailey, friends of the Snead family, have organized a Gofundme account under the name “Jevan Snead Memorial.”

“We love the Snead family and this is one way we can help them get through this terrible time,” Sarah Gailey said. “Rather than sending flowers, we are requesting donations. The funds will be donated to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy research and to his beloved hometown’s football program to purchase state-of-the-art helmets to protect future (Stephenville) Yellow Jackets from brain injury.”