Harvard study: NFL players 6x more likely to suffer severe cognitive issues

Harvard researchers say NFL players are six times more likely to suffer severe cognitive issues than the general population - and certain position players are even more at risk.

This week, former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski announced the next chapter in his retirement; he teamed up with a CBD supplement company, natural supplements he said helped him feel pain-free for the first time in nearly a decade.

"I decided to walk away from the game for one main reason; I had to recover," said Gronk.

But he later revealed the toll the game had on him.

"No lie, I felt my head, I used to have liquid," he said. "It used to be thick, like, my head used to be thicker - a centimeter of liquid in some spots. And you'd feel it. I'd be like, what the heck? You could put indents in my head."

Now, investigators at Harvard's School of Public Health says NFL players are six times as likely to suffer serious cognitive problems than the general population.

They tracked issues like confusion, memory deficits, depression, and anxiety.

Researchers surveyed 3,500 former NFL players. They say one in eight players (12%) reported signs of serious cognitive problems.

By comparison, about 2% of people in the general U.S. population report such issues.

Researchers say their study found different position players were more at risk. Groups with the highest number of symptoms included running backs, linebackers, and special teams. Followed by wide receivers, defensive backs, linemen, and tight ends.

Kickers, punters, and quarterbacks had the fewest symptoms per year.

Boston 25 News asked the NFL if the reviewed the study. We have not yet heard back.

The Harvard study was part of the Football Players Health Study, which is a seven-year initiative funded by the NFL Players Union. It continues through 2021.

Cox Media Group