Can you read this study and still love football?

In a new study published in the journal BMJ, researchers examined the brains of 235 deceased former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021. The findings reveal that at least one in four of these players, and likely more, had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of their death. CTE is a degenerative brain disorder caused by repeated head trauma, leading to symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, depression, erratic behavior, and personality changes.

While researchers have long linked CTE to the head injuries common in football and other contact sports, this study offers one of the most definitive estimates of its prevalence. The disease is not a rare occurrence limited to a few unlucky individuals; rather, it is a significant occupational hazard akin to black lung disease among coal miners.

Despite its severity, the U.S. government has largely remained passive in regulating the sport of football, which remains deeply ingrained in American culture. Federal regulators have stepped in to protect workers in hazardous occupations, but have largely overlooked the dangers posed to football players. The Trump administration even proposed excluding inherent and inseparable hazards from safety standards, arguing that such dangers are an unavoidable part of professional activities.

This proposal raises the moral dilemma faced by football fans: Is the danger inherent to the "core nature" of the sport? If it is, how can fans reconcile their love for the game with the significant harm it inflicts on players? Cultural critic Chuck Klosterman argues that football's inherent danger makes it an inherently risky endeavor, as removing the danger would diminish its appeal and meaning.

However, football also provides numerous benefits, such as shared rituals, civic pride, and a sense of belonging for millions of participants. Fans are left in an uncomfortable position, wondering how to reconcile these competing factors. To address this issue, it is recommended that kids should not engage in tackle football and that both the NFL and college football programs should continue to improve helmet safety and reduce contact, particularly during practices.