NFL players face high risk of CTE, study finds

A recent study of hundreds of former NFL players has found that at least 25% of those examined had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head impacts. The research analyzed 878 former players who died between 2016 and 2021, identifying CTE in 215 of them.

Researchers noted that the 25% figure may represent a conservative estimate, as it does not account for the hundreds of brains that were not examined. Some experts suggest the actual prevalence could be significantly higher. The NFL Players Association has described the findings as a “call to action across the entire football ecosystem.”

While the study focused on professional players, experts emphasize that the risks of repeated concussions and sub-concussive hits are a known occupational hazard that necessitates safety improvements across all levels of football, including college and youth leagues.