Study Finds CTE in 25% of Deceased NFL Players from 2016-2021

At least 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to a study released on Tuesday. The research, involving 878 deceased players, revealed that 235 had donated their brains for study, and 215 of these were found to have CTE, a degenerative disease that can only be confirmed posthumously.

CTE and Neurodegenerative Disease in NFL Players

Daniel Daneshvar, the study's lead author and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, highlighted the link between repeated traumatic brain injuries and elevated rates of neurodegenerative diseases. "We've shown that NFL players experience about a four times higher rate of death from neurodegenerative diseases than the general population," Daneshvar stated.

The study was conducted by researchers from Mass General Brigham, Boston University, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation. It also found a high incidence of dementia among brain donors and emphasized the importance of preventive measures to reduce repetitive head impacts at all levels of football.

Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures

Daneshvar pointed out that most head impacts suffered by former NFL players occurred not at the professional level, but during their youth, high school, and collegiate careers. "All of those cumulative hits to the head added up to result in an increased risk," he said.

In response to these findings, experts are urging the implementation of safety measures beyond the professional level. The NFL has already made changes; for instance, the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement limited the number of contact practices during the season. The Ivy League also banned full-contact tackling during practices in 2016.

Daneshvar suggested that if similar restrictions were applied at the collegiate, high school, and youth levels, the cumulative head impact burden could be significantly reduced. "Nearly 70% of head impacts occur in practice," he noted, adding that reducing these could lower the overall risk.

NFL's Ongoing Efforts

An NFL spokesperson reiterated the league's commitment to player safety, stating, "The NFL continuously strives to make the game of football safer, including by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts." The spokesperson also emphasized the availability of resources for former players concerned about their health.

The league's 2016 settlement of concussion-related lawsuits with thousands of retired players marked a significant step in addressing these issues. However, researchers and advocates continue to call for expanded preventive measures to protect athletes at all stages of their careers.