A new study published in the British Medical Journal reveals that at least 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma.

Study details

The researchers examined 878 players who appeared in at least one NFL game and passed away during the six‑year period. Of those, 235 families donated the players’ brains for scientific analysis, and 215 of the donated brains were found to have CTE.

Because CTE can only be diagnosed after death, the study relied on these donations. Lead author Dr. Daniel Daneshvar noted that the 25% figure likely represents a low‑end estimate, suggesting the true prevalence may lie somewhere in the middle of the range.

Implications for player safety

Dr. Daneshvar emphasized that the cumulative force of head impacts is the strongest predictor of CTE. He advocated for eliminating contact during practices and reducing youth participation in tackle football as ways to mitigate risk.

He also pointed out that roughly 70% of head impacts occur in practice settings. “If the changes that have been implemented at the NFL level, including reducing the amount of contact in sports practices to less than one per week, were propagated at the collegiate, high school, and youth levels, athletes would be better off,” he said.

League response

The NFL issued a statement affirming its ongoing commitment to player safety. “The NFL continuously strives to make the game of football safer, including by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts,” the league said, adding that it remains dedicated to providing resources that support the physical and mental well‑being of its community.

While the findings underscore the serious health risks associated with repeated head trauma, the league and medical community see the data as a catalyst for further safety reforms across all levels of the sport.

Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.