Study reveals high prevalence of brain disease in former NFL players
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 25, 2026, 4:40 PM
Last updated Aug 25, 2026
A study published in the British Medical Journal indicates that at least 24.5% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), with the figure potentially as high as 97.7%. Researchers analyzed brain donations from 878 players and found that 215 were diagnosed with CTE, highlighting a significant increase over previous estimates. The lead author, Daniel Daneshvar, noted that the majority of brain impacts occurred at high school and collegiate levels rather than solely in the NFL. The NFL has been urged to enhance prevention measures to reduce head impacts across all levels of play. The league affirmed its commitment to improving player safety and providing mental health resources to former players.
- •24.5% of former NFL players had CTE, potentially rising to 97.7%.
- •The study analyzed brains of 878 players who died from 2016 to 2021.
- •215 players were diagnosed with CTE post-mortem.
- •Most head impacts occurred at lower levels of play, not just in the NFL.
- •NFL continues to pursue strategies aimed at reducing concussions.
- 4:40 PMYahoo Sports — Study Finds at Least a Quarter of Former NFL Players Who Participated Had a Degenerative Brain Disease at Death
- 11:54 AMBBC Sport — Brain disease in ex-NFL players 'higher than previously shown'
"A new study says at least one in four ex-NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had a degenerative brain disease but the true figure could be much higher.
"Every player in the study was a former football player who played at least NFL game
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 25, 2026, 4:40 PMStudy Finds at Least a Quarter of Former NFL Players Who Participated Had a Degenerative Brain Disease at Death
Every player in the study was a former football player who played at least NFL game
- BBC SportAug 25, 2026, 11:54 AMBrain disease in ex-NFL players 'higher than previously shown'
A new study says at least one in four ex-NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had a degenerative brain disease but the true figure could be much higher.
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