NFL players face high CTE risks in new brain disease study

A study published by the British Medical Journal indicates that at least 25 percent of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The research analyzed 712 former players from the hard-shell helmet era, finding that 97.7 percent of donated brains from the 2016–2021 period showed signs of the neurodegenerative disease caused by repetitive head impacts.

Symptoms of CTE include issues with balance, coordination, speech difficulties, and tremors. The study noted a link between the progression of CTE and cognitive decline, with nearly 60 percent of analyzed donors having been diagnosed with dementia during their lifetime. Currently, there is no way to diagnose CTE while a patient is alive, and no known treatments exist to reverse the condition.

In response to the risks of head trauma, technology and equipment are evolving. Researchers at Stanford University are studying the biomechanics of concussions, including the development of sensor-equipped mouthguards to measure impact forces. Additionally, helmet manufacturers are shifting focus from merely preventing skull fractures to mitigating lower-impact repetitive hits. The NFL has also implemented the use of Guardian Caps—padded foam covers for helmets—during training and has permitted their use in official games starting in 2024.