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Steelers' Burns, 22: 'I definitely know I have' CTE

Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns was one of seven NFL players asked recently for their thoughts on CTE and concussions by Sports Illustrated, and he delivered the most chilling of responses.

When asked, "If a test to diagnose CTE existed, would you take it?" the 22-year-old said he didn't have to take the test because he knows the results.

"I definitely know I have it. I’m going to (test positive for) CTE. I don’t need a test," Burns said, who's in his second NFL season. "Is it going to tell me how much I have? We play a physical sport, man. Humans are not made to run into each other."

Along with Burns, veterans Kirk Cousins, Tahir Whitehead, Ryan Kalil, Chris Long, Dion Jordan, and Michael Bennett were asked for their thoughts. Only Jordan said he wouldn't take a CTE test if one were available, though he said he would want to know once he retired.

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