Sports
New study estimates 75% of deceased ex-NFL players had brain disease CTE
A study estimates that about 75% of former NFL players who died from 2008 through 2023 had evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, based on records from 2,362 players and brain examinations from nearly 400. The researchers say this is the first estimate covering the broader group rather than only donated brains. The findings do not show that every player with CTE develops dementia or cognitive decline.
Editorial summary · Publisher article
What matters
- The study found CTE in 93.5% of examined donated brains, while estimating a lower rate across the wider group.
- Researchers estimated that about 27% of the former players studied had dementia.
Context & caveats
- Readers should understand that the study concerns deceased former players and that CTE-related brain changes do not necessarily produce noticeable symptoms.
Why this made the edition
A substantial new study on CTE prevalence among deceased former NFL players is consequential to player health and the league’s safety debate, with complete evidence and appropriate qualification about what the findings do not establish.
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