A new study published in the British Medical Journal reveals that at least one in four former National Football League (NFL) players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma.
Study details and findings
The researchers examined 878 players who had appeared in at least one NFL game and died during the six‑year period. Of those, 235 families donated the players’ brains for scientific analysis. The study found that 215 of the 235 donated brains—more than 90%—showed evidence of CTE. Because only a subset of the deceased players had their brains examined, the authors estimate that the overall prevalence among the 878 is at least 25% and likely higher.
Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, the study’s lead author, said the 25% figure represents the low end of the possible range. “The true rate is probably somewhere in the middle,” he explained, noting that the high proportion of CTE among donated brains suggests many cases remain undetected.
Implications for player safety
The NFL responded by emphasizing its ongoing efforts to make football safer. In a statement, the league said it continues to implement strategies aimed at reducing concussions and head impacts and remains committed to providing resources that support the physical and mental well‑being of its community.
Dr. Daneshvar highlighted that the cumulative force of hits to the head is the strongest predictor of CTE. He advocated for eliminating contact drills during practices and limiting youth participation in tackle football as ways to mitigate risk. “If the changes that have been implemented at the NFL level, including reducing the amount of contact in practices to less than one per week, were propagated at the collegiate, high school, and youth levels, athletes would be better off,” he said.
He also noted that roughly 70% of head impacts occur during practice sessions. “Without changing a single minute of game time at any of those levels, we can substantially reduce the cumulative head‑impact burden that these individuals experience throughout their lives,” Daneshvar added.
What the findings mean for families and communities
The study underscores the importance of brain‑donation programs, which allow researchers to diagnose CTE only after death. Families who choose to donate provide critical data that can inform safety guidelines and medical care for current and future players.
While the NFL continues to promote safety initiatives, the findings remind parents, coaches, and community leaders that vigilance remains essential, especially for young athletes who are just beginning to engage in tackle football.
As research progresses, the hope is that improved equipment, training protocols, and medical monitoring will further reduce the risk of long‑term brain injury for all participants in the sport.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
