At least 1-in-4 ex-NFL players who died from 2016 to 2021 had CTE, study finds
That's a much higher rate than is seen in the general population. CTE is a brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.
A recent study found that one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease caused by repeated head injuries. CTE is not found in the general population, with the study estimating a prevalence range of 24.5% to 97.7% among these players. Of the 235 brains donated for study, 91.4% tested positive for CTE.
Researchers also discovered that 61.3% of these former players with CTE met the criteria for dementia, with severe CTE associated with dementia more frequently. The study, conducted by Mass General Brigham, Boston University, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation, was published in The British Medical Journal. An NFL spokesperson stated that the league continuously strives to make the game of football safer by reducing concussions and head impacts.
The NFL remains committed to providing resources to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of former players. The researchers called for more research, emphasizing the need for resources to develop a cure for CTE and prevention efforts to reduce repetitive head impacts.
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