Chicago, IL (February 12, 2020) – NBC Sports Chicago will provide viewers with a special, exclusive documentary presentation entitled The Adamles: Mind Over Matter, chronicling the past year with beloved Chicago sports on-field/broadcasting icon Mike Adamle and his devoted wife Kim on their challenging journey dealing with the life-altering effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This in-depth, half-hour documentary unveiling the emotional realities of heartache, hope, love and triumph premieres Monday, February 17 at 7:00 PM CT exclusively on NBC Sports Chicago and streaming live to authenticated NBC Sports Chicago subscribers at NBCSportsChicago.com/WatchLive. TRAILER: https://bit.ly/37nxdfA
Over the past few years, Mike and Kim have been open about sharing their daily challenges to help bring a heightened level of awareness of CTE, along with better educating other individuals who may also be suffering with CTE symptoms. Mike, a standout athlete who was both an All-American fullback at Northwestern and a veteran of six seasons in the NFL, including one with the Chicago Bears, is probably best known off-the-field as one of local and national sports media’s most versatile anchor/reporters. After a successful three decade-plus career in sports media, Mike officially retired in 2017 due to his health issues. While CTE can only be diagnosed post-mortem, many experts believe Mike is living with it, but he and Kim are determined to not let the disease win, nor define their life and devotion to one another.
The Adamles: Mind Over Matter was produced, written and edited by NBC Sports Chicago’s Emmy award-winning team of Executive Producer of Original Content Sarah Lauch, Senior Producer of Original Content Ryan McGuffey and Managing Photographer Matt Buckman.
“Mike and Kim’s story is one that we felt needed more than just one interview…we needed to experience their challenges with them over the course of a year to better enable us and our viewers to fully understand what they are going through on a daily basis,” said Kevin Cross, Senior Vice President/General Manager, NBC Sports Chicago. “We couldn’t be more thankful to Mike and Kim for opening their doors and hearts to us and we are honored to tell this amazing story about their unwavering determination and love.”
In addition to deep discussion with Mike and Kim, The Adamles: Mind Over Matter includes interviews with Dr. Bal Nandra (IV Solution Chicago), Dr. George Michalopoulos & Dr. David Traster (The Neurologic Wellness Institute), Jesse & Iryna DeSoto (Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Long Grove) and Adamle family friend/NBC Sports Chicago host David Kaplan.
NBC Sports Chicago will re-air The Adamles: Mind Over Matter throughout the month of February on the following dates/times: Feb 19 (9:00 PM), Feb 20 (11:30 AM on NBCSCH+), Feb 22 (12:30 PM), Feb 24 (11:00 PM), Feb 27 (6:00 PM on NBCSCH+), Feb 28 (9:00 AM on NBCSCH+) and Feb 29 (9:30 PM).
Please note the following quotes from the NBC Sports Chicago Original Production of The Adamles: Mind Over Matter, debuting Monday, February 17 at 7:00 PM CT on NBC Sports Chicago and NBCSportsChicago.com/WatchLive:
“The one thing that would hurt me the most is if I get separated emotionally or spiritually from my daughters Svetlana and Alex. Sometimes they break out in tears, ‘don’t leave us, dad.“ - Mike
“In this evolution of spreading awareness about CTE, we can help other people, tell them that they are not bad, they are victims. It is a disease. It is brain damage.” - Kim
“One night I went on the air doing the sportscast totally asleep. That is a little scary. You do not think about being Mr. Superman. You do not know that part of you exists anymore. If you just gut it out, you are going to be ok.” - Mike
“What we have seen is an overall improvement of Mike’s quality of health in the last six to eight months. His memory and mood have improved.” - Dr. Nandra, IV Solutions
“Mike’s my role model. I have learned to be more grateful and live in the moment…it is when he is at his worst, that I see his best.” - Kim
NOTE: To assist patients and families who may be living with CTE, Mike and Kim have established their own not-for-profit organization – “The Mike Adamle Project: Rise Above” – a program of the Concussion Legacy Foundation. For more information and/or to donate to “Rise Above,” fans are urged to visit GoFundMe.com/MikeAdamleProject.
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