Study Estimates 75% of Deceased NFL Players Suffered From CTE
A new study published in JAMA Network Open estimates that 74.5% of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, highlighting long-term brain health risks in football.
A comprehensive new study published in JAMA Network Open estimates that approximately 75% of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head impacts.
Led by researchers at Boston University, the study represents the first major attempt to evaluate CTE prevalence among deceased former professional football players while accounting for potential selection biases. Out of 2,362 former players who passed away during the analyzed period, 396 families donated the brains for research. Among the 387 cases where an analysis was feasible, signs of CTE were detected in 362 individuals, representing 93.5%.
To prevent statistical skewing, given that families of players exhibiting neurological symptoms are more likely to donate brain tissue, the research team integrated data from 1,966 players who did not donate. Utilizing an advanced statistical model to correct for this bias, the final estimated prevalence rate among all deceased players in the cohort stood at 74.5%.
CTE is a progressive degenerative brain condition closely associated with repetitive head trauma in contact sports such as football and boxing. The disease is officially categorized into four severity stages, and currently, definitive diagnosis is only possible post-mortem through brain tissue examination. The authors cautioned against broad generalizations, noting that the findings apply exclusively to deceased NFL athletes and cannot determine prevalence among active players or living retirees.
In response to the publication, the NFL stated that the league "continually works to make football safer, including through the implementation of strategies to reduce concussions and head trauma." The league added that it encourages former players to utilize available resources to monitor their health and seek timely care. Meanwhile, the NFL Players Association emphasized that such research remains vital for advancing the understanding of long-term athletic health risks.
