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At least 25% of former NFL players who died from 2016-21 had the degenerative brain disease CTE, according to a study posted Tuesday by the British Medical Journal.
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The study was conducted by Mass General Brigham, Boston University and the Concussion & CTE Foundation.
Researchers examined samples of the brains from some of the 878 players who had appeared in at least one NFL game, in any year, and died during that six-year period. CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, has been linked to repeated head injuries and can only be diagnosed after death.
Of the 878 deaths, 235 players donated their brains and it was discovered that 215 of them had CTE at some stage. That’s more than one in every four deaths and an overwhelming 91.5% of the ones studied.
The NFL Players Association sent an email to its players and their agents Tuesday that warned this study “suggests that CTE may be significantly more common among NFL players than previous understood, reinforcing the importance of continued research, care and support.”
“While CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death,” said the email obtained by The Athletic, “many symptoms commonly associated with CTE, including memory challenges, mood changes, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties, may also be caused by other medical or neurological conditions, many of which can be treated or managed. That is why a thorough medical evaluation is so important.
“Pay attention to your cognitive, neurological and overall health. If you have concerns, seek evaluation and support. Early intervention matters. Resources are available today that can help.”
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The NFL said it “continuously strives to make the game of football safer, including by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts.”
“The NFL remains committed to ensuring that the NFL community has access to a robust — and expanding — set of resources to enhance their physical and mental well-being,” the league said in a statement to ESPN.
Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, the study’s lead author, said that the estimate of 25% is on the “low end.” He said the maximum possible prevalence is around 97%, with the true rate of CTE “somewhere in the middle.”
A higher presence of CTE is probable but not possible to calculate because of the number of players who donated their brains.
The study also found that more than 70% of the samples submitted were linked to Stages III and IV CTE. Stage IV, the most advanced stage, meets the criteria for dementia.
Daneshvar said the risks of CTE can be mitigated by eliminating hits during practice sessions and prohibiting children from playing tackle football.
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This story was originally published August 25, 2026 at 5:27 PM.