Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A concerning new study has confirmed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in at least one in four former NFL players who died over a recent five-year period. Researchers identified 878 former players who passed away between 2016 and 2021; of the 235 who donated their brains for scientific research, a staggering 215 were diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease. Lead authors of the study emphasize that CTE is caused by the cumulative effects of repeated head impacts spanning a player's youth, high school, collegiate, and professional careers, noting that nearly 70% of those head impacts actually occur during practice. While the NFL reported a 17% drop in concussions in 2024—reaching an historic low thanks to improved protocols, fewer contact practices, and better helmets—a league spokesperson acknowledged the severity of the findings, stating that while the game is safer today, "safer doesn't mean safe."
A concerning new study has confirmed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in at least one in four former NFL players who died over a recent five-year period. Researchers identified 878 former players who passed away between 2016 and 2021; of the 235 who donated their brains for scientific research, a staggering 215 were diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease. Lead authors of the study emphasize that CTE is caused by the cumulative effects of repeated head impacts spanning a player's youth, high school, collegiate, and professional careers, noting that nearly 70% of those head impacts actually occur during practice. While the NFL reported a 17% drop in concussions in 2024—reaching an historic low thanks to improved protocols, fewer contact practices, and better helmets—a league spokesperson acknowledged the severity of the findings, stating that while the game is safer today, "safer doesn't mean safe."
