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At least 1 in 4 former NFL players who died from 2016 to 2021 had CTE, study estimates

Researchers analyzing brain donations found high rates of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, with clinical dementia present in over 60% of diagnosed cases.

Updated Aug 25, 2026 · 15:25 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • A study published in The British Medical Journal estimates that between 24.5% and 97.7% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
  • Out of 235 donated brains from that group, 215 (91.4%) showed signs of CTE, and 61.3% of those with the disease met clinical criteria for dementia.
  • Researchers urged sports organizations to focus on reducing repetitive head impacts across youth, high school, college, and professional levels.
  • The NFL stated it is continually working to make the sport safer by reducing head impacts and providing health resources for former players.

Key facts

  • A study conducted by Mass General Brigham, Boston University, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation was published in The British Medical Journal.[CBS News · BBC News]
  • Of the 878 former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021, 235 donated their brains for research, and 215 were diagnosed post-mortem with CTE.[CBS News · BBC News]
  • Researchers calculated a conservative minimum prevalence of CTE among deceased players during that period at 24.5%, with a potential maximum of 97.7%.[CBS News · BBC News]
  • Among the donated brains diagnosed with CTE, 61.3% met the clinical criteria for dementia.[CBS News]
  • CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head impacts and can only be definitively diagnosed after death.[CBS News · BBC News]
  • An NFL spokesperson stated the league is committed to enhancing player safety, minimizing head impacts, and offering health resources to former players.[CBS News · BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The exact overall CTE prevalence among all deceased players remains uncertain because only a subset of families opted to donate brain tissue for research.[CBS News]

Sources