Former BYU Football Star Dr. Larry Carr Shares Groundbreaking Research on Brain Health, CTE, and Recovery

In this powerful episode of Million Dollar Minutes and The Neil Haley Show, hosts Neil Haley and Ryan August welcomed former BYU Hall of Fame linebacker, exercise physiologist, and brain health researcher Dr. Larry Carr for an eye-opening discussion about football, brain injuries, CTE, mental health, and revolutionary research that may change the future of neurological recovery.

Dr. Carr's journey began on the football field. Starting at just 10 years old, he played football throughout his childhood, high school, college, and eventually professionally in Canada. While many athletes relied on physical gifts, Dr. Carr credits much of his success to preparation and intelligence. As he explained during the interview, he spent countless hours studying film and learning opponents' tendencies because he knew he couldn't rely solely on athletic ability.

Despite his success, years of repetitive head impacts would eventually take a toll.

As he entered his 50s and approached age 60, Dr. Carr began noticing significant cognitive and emotional changes. He described a gradual decline that affected nearly every aspect of his life. Depression, anxiety, memory issues, emotional instability, and cognitive struggles became increasingly difficult to manage. At the time, public awareness surrounding CTE and football-related brain injuries was still limited compared to today.

Seeking answers, he visited neurologists who ultimately informed him that he showed signs of significant brain damage related to years of football participation. The diagnosis was devastating.

Dr. Carr explained that this period represented one of the darkest chapters of his life. His relationships suffered, his marriage was strained, and he struggled to understand why he was changing so dramatically. Determined to find answers, he began researching brain injuries extensively and eventually connected with renowned CTE researcher Dr. Ann McKee in Boston.

When Dr. Carr met with Dr. McKee, he hoped she might have a solution. Instead, she delivered difficult news. At the time, there were no proven treatments for CTE. Medications could potentially manage symptoms, but no therapies existed that could address the underlying neurological damage.

However, Dr. McKee pointed him toward a research study being conducted through the Department of Veterans Affairs involving photobiomodulation therapy, a form of light therapy being used to help veterans suffering from brain injuries.

That recommendation changed everything.

Dr. Carr became the first former football player enrolled in the study. Researchers evaluated him through multiple treatment phases, including sessions using specialized light therapy devices designed to stimulate brain function and neurological repair.

The results were remarkable.

According to Dr. Carr, improvements appeared in nearly every category researchers measured. Depression decreased. Anxiety improved. PTSD symptoms lessened. Cognitive performance improved. Emotional stability returned. Most importantly, he regained quality of life and began feeling like himself again.

He credits the treatment with saving both his marriage and his future.

Inspired by these outcomes, Dr. Carr dedicated himself to studying how this technology could help others. His research eventually expanded into athletics, where he began examining the effects of repetitive head impacts on football players.

One of the most important points discussed during the interview was Dr. Carr's belief that concussions alone are not the primary issue.

Instead, he explained that repetitive acceleration and deceleration forces may be equally damaging. Every tackle, collision, or sudden stop causes the brain to move inside the skull. Even without a diagnosed concussion, these repetitive forces may create inflammation and neurological stress over time.