Brain disease in dead NFL players 'higher than previously shown'

A study published in the British Medical Journal reveals that an alarming 97.7% of deceased NFL players between 2016 and 2021 may have suffered from brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Researchers analyzed the brains of 878 former athletes who donated them for research purposes; 215 of these brains were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition only confirmed posthumously.

The findings, led by Daniel Daneshvar from Harvard Medical School, highlight that NFL players are four times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases than the general population. The study suggests that CTE prevalence among NFL players may be significantly higher than previously estimated, with a conservative minimum of 24.5% and a maximum of 97.7%.

The researchers emphasize that the majority of head impacts experienced by these former NFL players occurred at lower levels of the sport, such as college, high school, and youth levels. This cumulative effect of head injuries during these stages contributes to the increased risk of CTE.

In response to the findings, an NFL spokesperson reaffirmed the league's commitment to player safety, noting their ongoing efforts to reduce concussions and head impacts. The NFL encourages former players to utilize available resources to monitor and address their health concerns.