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Former KDKA-TV personality Jon Burnett grateful for support after sharing suspected CTE diagnosis

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Former KDKA-TV personality Jon Burnett grateful for support after sharing suspected CTE diagnosis


PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — There’s been a massive response from the Pittsburgh community after KDKA-TV’s stories with beloved retired colleague and friend, Jon Burnett, who shared his diagnosis of suspected CTE — the brain disease caused by repeated hits to the head.

On this Valentine’s Day, all of the words of love pouring in on social media are like Pittsburgh’s love letters to Burnett, offering support, prayers and thanks.

KDKA-TV’s Kristine Sorensen visited Burnett again to share some of those social media comments, and they laughed over messy food, just like they did when they co-hosted Pittsburgh Today Live. That same humor and genuine good nature shines through Burnett even though his expressions are diminished, his voice is quieter and his short-term memory is a challenge.

KDKA-TV’s Kristine Sorensen showed him the hundreds of messages of support for him on social media and read him a few. One Facebook post said, “I have watched Jon Burnett since Evening Magazine. I was about 8-years-old and always loved his personality and antics on TV. I got to meet him once at the Italian festival in Bloomfield some years back and was delighted he was so friendly – just like on TV. John’s one of the good guys. We love you Jon.”

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Another post on Facebook reads, “May God bless you and your family on this journey. Thank you for being willing to share your experience. You are loved by many.”

KDKA-TV’s Kristine Sorensen asked Burnett, “I know you’re a man of faith. What does it mean to you that so many people are praying for you?”

“It means everything,” Burnett said. “It means the world. It means that I’m going to have not an easy trip here to the end, but with people like that behind me, and my wife, Debbie, and you and the guys, I just got it easy.”

Burnett described all the support from the community, friends, and family as being part of a team — something he knows well from his 10 years playing football, including at the University of Tennessee.

Lots of viewers said they shed a tear watching the story, including a viewer named Bonnie who also wrote, “A great thing he and his family are doing for awareness of this disease.”

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One reason Burnett and his family wanted to share their story was for awareness and to encourage more people to participate in a study of CTE at the National Sports Brain Bank at the University of Pittsburgh.

That’s happening. Since the stories first aired on Monday, 37 people have signed up for the Brain Bank study — a huge addition to the 100 enrolled since it opened nine months ago.

Burnett says, “It is not so much thanks to me as it is to the guys who knocked my head off. I took some hits over the years. There were times when I’d come home and I wouldn’t know who I was or where I was because I’ve gotten blows to the head.”

Burnett says despite his challenges, he has no regrets and is grateful for football, faith, family and friends, and he wanted to speak directly to the many Pittsburghers who love him.

“I didn’t plan this,” Burnett says. “I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t dream about it. It’s just, it is what it is. But you guys, all of you, all of you have been, mainly you, Debbie, have been like a rock for me. I’ve been able to tell hundreds of people what’s going on, and they’ve all been sympathetic. I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I’m feeling blessed.”

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The National Sports Brain Bank is seeking anyone around the country who played sports, from rec to pro, to sign up for its study to learn more about CTE and other brain injuries related to sports. You can learn more and enroll here.



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Pittsburg, PA

Police investigating two late-night McKeesport shootings

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Police investigating two late-night McKeesport shootings



Police are investigating two shootings that happened less than 30 minutes apart on Sunday night in McKeesport. 

Two men were injured in the shootings that happened at two different locations. 

Allegheny County Police said that the department’s Homicide Unit was requested and responded to assist in the shooting investigations.

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According to police, officers were first called to the area of Lysle Boulevard and Huey Street, where a man was shot just after 10:30 p.m. on Sunday night.

KDKA’s news crew at the scene saw the outside of the Sunoco gas station along Lysle Boulevard lined with crime tape and what appeared to be blood on the front door of the store. 

Police are investigating two late-night shootings that happened in McKeesport on Sunday. Officers were called to a gas station along Lysle Boulevard and an alleyway near Madison Avenue around 30 minutes apart Sunday night.It’s unclear at this time if the two shootings are related or connected.

KDKA Photojournalist Bryce Lutz

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Police also had an area taped off around the intersection of nearby 5th Avenue and Huey Street.  The man who was shot in the area was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Police said they are also investigating a shooting that happened in the area of an alleyway behind Madison Avenue, where another man was shot Dispatchers said the second shooting happened around 25 minutes after the first.

The two shooting scenes in McKeesport are located around 1/4 of a mile apart.

At the second shooting scene, KDKA’s news crew at the scene saw police taping off an alleyway between Madison Avenue and Petty Street. 

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Police are investigating two late-night shootings that happened in McKeesport on Sunday. Officers were called to a gas station along Lysle Boulevard and an alleyway near Madison Avenue around 30 minutes apart Sunday night.

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KDKA Photojournalist Bryce Lutz


Officers at the scene were shining flashlights and looking into a black sedan that had its flashers on.  The man who was shot in the area of Madison Avenue was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Police didn’t specify if the two shootings are believed to be related.



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Silovs makes 22 saves, Penguins shut out Golden Knights | NHL.com

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Silovs makes 22 saves, Penguins shut out Golden Knights | NHL.com


Vegas allowed two power-play goals on Pittsburgh’s four chances after giving up one on 12 opportunities the previous four games. 

“I think we just had poor execution all game long,” Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith said. “Obviously, our penalty kill has been pretty good for us and that wasn’t good enough tonight.” 

Rickard Rakell pushed it to 4-0 on another power play at 15:06, stopping a shot from Karlsson with his left skate and wrapping a shot around Hill. 

Brazeau scored on a wrist shot from above the right circle at 14:59 of the third period for the 5-0 final. 

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“Second period, they took it to us,” McNabb said. “We were out of it, basically.” 

NOTES: With goals from Kindel, Chinakhov and Brazeau, the Penguins have 73 goals by players in their first season with the team. It’s the most in the NHL this season and 13 more than the next closest (the Anaheim Ducks, 59). … The Golden Knights have been outscored 9-1 in the first and second periods of their first three games out of the break for the Olympics. … Karlsson has 908 points (204 goals, 704 assists), tied with Scott Stevens (908 points; 196 goals, 712 assists) for the 13th-most by a defenseman in League history. … Vegas forward Mitch Marner had a point streak end at six games (seven points; four goals, three assists).



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Pittsburgh and Vegas take the ice for non-conference matchup

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Pittsburgh and Vegas take the ice for non-conference matchup


Vegas Golden Knights (28-17-14, in the Pacific Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (30-15-13, in the Metropolitan Division)

Pittsburgh; Sunday, 1 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Knights -149, Penguins +125; over/under is 6.5

BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vegas Golden Knights square off in a non-conference matchup.

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Pittsburgh has a 14-8-7 record at home and a 30-15-13 record overall. The Penguins have scored 197 total goals (3.4 per game) to rank 10th in NHL play.

Vegas is 28-17-14 overall and 14-9-7 in road games. The Golden Knights are 27-6-8 in games they score at least three goals.

Sunday’s game is the first meeting between these teams this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Mantha has 21 goals and 23 assists for the Penguins. Benjamin Kindel has six goals and one assist over the last 10 games.

Mark Stone has 21 goals and 38 assists for the Golden Knights. Pavel Dorofeyev has seven goals and three assists over the past 10 games.

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LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 7-1-2, averaging 4.2 goals, 7.1 assists, 3.3 penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.

Golden Knights: 4-4-2, averaging 3.5 goals, 5.8 assists, 2.6 penalties and 5.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.

INJURIES: Penguins: None listed.

Golden Knights: None listed.

___

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.





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