Study finds that one in four former NFL players suffers from degenerative brain disease CTE
Summary
A study found that about one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease caused by repeated head hits. The research showed many brain injuries happen before the NFL level, in college and youth sports, and experts suggest reducing contact in all football practice levels to lower risks.Key Facts
- Out of 878 former NFL players who died from 2016 to 2021, 235 donated their brains for study.
- 215 of the donated brains showed signs of CTE, a disease linked to repeated head injuries.
- CTE symptoms include memory problems, dementia, mood issues, and headaches.
- Many head impacts happen during practices, not just games, especially at college, high school, and youth levels.
- NFL has made rule changes to reduce contact during practices to make football safer.
- The study found NFL players have about four times higher rates of death from brain diseases than the general public.
- Some well-known NFL players who died by suicide had CTE found in their brains.
- Researchers recommend expanding safety measures to lower head impacts at all levels of football, not just in the NFL.
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