New Study Reveals Nearly 75% of Deceased NFL Players Had CTE

Roughly 75% of NFL players who passed away within the 2008 to 2023 timeframe suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE, according to fresh research spearheaded by investigators at Boston University. The finding highlights the persistent neurological risks tied to professional tackle football as health researchers continue to examine post-mortem brain tissue.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• Approximately 74.5% of deceased former NFL players in the Boston University study exhibited pathological signs of CTE.
• Brain donors with clear cognitive symptoms were estimated to be five times more likely to donate their brains than those without symptoms.
• Researchers analyzed over 2,300 former players who died between 2008 and 2023, utilizing a cohort of nearly 400 brain donors.

Boston University Study Analyzes Decades of Brain Donations

Out of that group, nearly 400 individuals were brain donors. Among the 396 donated brains examined, 93.5% showed positive diagnoses for CTE.

Lead author Julia Gallini noted that because CTE is found in less than 1% of donors in community brain banks, the high prevalence among former NFL players remains concerning. To account for selection bias—since former players with cognitive symptoms were roughly five times more likely to donate their brains—the researchers adjusted their calculations to estimate an overall prevalence of 74.5% across the deceased player population. With CTE consistently found in less than 1% of donors to community brain banks, an estimated 75% prevalence among NFL players who died over a 16-year period is concerning, and suggests we need to increase efforts to support families, diagnose CTE during life, and treat CTE-related symptoms, Gallini said in a statement.

CTE Donors Died Younger than Non-Donors

Donors with the disease died at a younger age on average, at 67 years old, compared to nearly 75 for non-donors. Additionally, the research calculated that 27.2% of the athletes experienced all-cause dementia during their lifetimes, though the study authors stopped short of officially attributing that dementia directly to CTE.

A separate study published in September in JAMA Neurology and conducted by researchers including Mass General Brigham personnel as part of the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University evaluated 1,980 former professional players. That study found that 35% of former players believed they had CTE. Those who held this belief reported higher rates of low testosterone, depression, chronic pain, and headaches. Furthermore, 25% of players who believed they had CTE reported frequent suicidal thoughts, compared to 5% of players who did not hold that belief.

As complex human beings, our beliefs can exert a strong impact on our health, stated Ross Zafonte, who serves as President of Spaulding Rehabilitation as well as Chief of the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, while speaking in his capacity as a coauthor. The symptoms that raise CTE concerns are real and CTE concerns are valid, but it’s critical to understand that having persistent fears about this condition can take a toll on mental health. When these concerns discourage former NFL players from receiving effective treatments for other or interrelated conditions related to physical and emotional health, it’s our responsibility to intervene, Zafonte added.

League and Union Responses to Ongoing Findings

In response to the data, the NFL stated that it continuously strives to make the game safer by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts, pointing toward improved equipment like Guardian Caps and rule adjustments. The NFL Players Association reiterated that such studies remain critical to understanding the long-term health impacts of football and supporting players during and after their careers, stating that the union remains committed to supporting scientific research, investing in resources that aid players’ physical and mental well-being, and expanding access to care so that they can experience improved health outcomes during and after their playing careers.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel commented on the findings by noting that players understand the physical risks involved in playing professional football. While acknowledging that the league is working to make the sport safer, he stated that athletes enter the game knowing the potential consequences. Your kids are going to have to see you maybe be knocked out on the field and laying there unconscious, or getting another surgery, or breaking your arm or breaking your leg, the former linebacker said. He added, I do think that the league in being conscious and trying to make the game safer and better is good, but I also knew what I was signing up for when I decided to play the game. Former NFL quarterback and study ambassador Matt Hasselbeck also remarked on the findings, stating, It’s hard to learn what the guys who built the game have suffered through, and adding, But I also knew what I was signing up for when I decided to play the game.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.

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