Study estimates at least one quarter of deceased former NFL players had CTE
Research published in The BMJ indicates that roughly 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Scientists from Mass General Brigham released a paper in The BMJ that estimates a minimum of roughly 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at autopsy. To derive the figure, the researchers compiled a list of 1,712 deceased players using CDC death certificates and focused on the years with the highest brain-donation rates, drawing on the UNITE Brain Bank at Boston University.
While 93% of the 330 donated brains from 2008-2021 showed CTE, the conservative prevalence for the 2016-2021 cohort is 25%, with an upper bound near 97% if all undiagnosed cases are presumed positive. The analysis revealed that Stage IV CTE strongly aligns with clinically diagnosed dementia, whereas lower stages and CTE-negative brains showed weaker links. Experts not involved praised the study’s scale but noted most donors played before 2005, when concussion awareness was limited.
The NFL responded by reaffirming its commitment to player safety and promoting health resources for former athletes. Commentators urged living former players to seek medical evaluation for treatable conditions that can mimic CTE symptoms.
Why it matters
The findings highlight the potential long-term brain health risks of professional football and inform safety and medical support for former players.
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