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Study finds potential brain disease risk for NFL players

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 25, 2026, 2:25 PM

Last updated Aug 25, 2026

Study finds potential brain disease risk for NFL players

Summary

A new study indicates that at least a quarter of NFL players may develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head impacts. Published on August 25, 2026, the research examined the brains of 878 deceased NFL players, with 215 confirmed cases of CTE. The findings suggest that CTE prevalence is higher among NFL players than previously reported, correlating with documented cases of dementia. Acknowledging limitations in their research, the authors emphasize the need for further studies to clarify CTE rates. The study is led by Daniel Daneshvar of Harvard Medical School and published in the British Medical Journal.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Study indicates at least 24.5% of NFL players may develop CTE.
•Research analyzed 878 deceased players, finding 215 CTE cases.
•CTE severity linked to dementia in NFL brain donors.
•Study led by Daniel Daneshvar; published in the British Medical Journal.
•Researchers advocate for better communication of health risks to current players.

Latest Updates

2:25 PMYahoo Sports — At least a quarter of NFL players may get brain disease: study

What they're saying

"
At least a quarter of National Football League players may end up with a degenerative brain disease, according to a new study published Tuesday that lays bare the extreme toll of America's favorite sport. It has previously been linked to contact sports including American football and boxing, and found in military members exposed to explosive blasts.
— Yahoo Sports

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