Study: At least 25% of deceased NFL players had brain disease

A concerning study indicates that at least 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. Researchers analyzed brain tissue from 235 players who had participated in at least one NFL game during that period.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found evidence of CTE in 215 of the donated brains. CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death through an autopsy, and it is believed to result from repeated blows to the head, common in American football. The findings suggest a significant prevalence of the disease among former professional players.

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These risks can have long-term consequences for players and their families.

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) described the study's results as "thought-provoking" and emphasized the potential long-term consequences for players and their families. In a statement to ESPN, the union stressed a shared responsibility within the football community to advance research, enhance treatment access, develop better therapies, and support those affected by the sport's long-term effects.

Lead author Daniel Daneshvar of Mass General Brigham noted that the 25% estimate might be conservative, as a higher incidence could exist among players whose brains were not donated for research. Daneshvar suggested that reducing the risk of CTE could involve eliminating tackling during practice and discouraging children from playing American football altogether, highlighting potential preventative measures.

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The results should be a call to action in the entire football environment. We all have a responsibility to promote research, improve access to treatment, develop better treatment methods, and support those affected by the long-term consequences of the sport.