BOSTON — A new study from Boston-based researchers estimates that nearly 75% of NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) neuropathology.
“With CTE consistently found in less than 1% of donors to community brain banks, an estimated 75% prevalence among NFL players who died over a 16-year period is concerning and suggests we need to increase efforts to support families, diagnose CTE during life, and treat CTE-related symptoms,” said Julia Gallini, lead author and a PhD candidate at Boston University School of Public Health.
The new findings build on an August 2026 study from the research group that estimated between 25% and 98% of NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE.
Dr. Sarah Nelson, who works with traumatic brain injury patients at Tufts Medical Center and Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, called the findings “wholly concerning.”
“I know there’s a lot of money in football, right, but we also have to consider at what cost are we doing all this,” Nelson said.
The study accounted for differences between NFL players whose brains were donated for research and those whose brains were not donated. Among the 387 deceased NFL players whose brains were studied, 362 had some degree of CTE neuropathology, according to the study.
Researchers also compared death certificate data for 2,362 NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023, including information on deaths involving neurodegenerative disease and dementia.
Nelson added that the findings should prompt serious conversations with young people considering violent sports.
“I think we have to really seriously consider and have a serious sit-down with all of the young people considering entering these sports that could be subject to head contact,” Nelson said.
The study, a collaboration among researchers at Boston University, Mass General Brigham and the Concussion & CTE Foundation, was published in JAMA Network Open.
Resources for former athletes are available through The Trust, powered by the NFL Players Association, the NFLPA’s Professional Athletes Foundation, and the NFL Lifeline, which provides 24/7 independent and confidential support at 800-453-0078.
New England Patriots head coach and longtime NFL player Mike Vrabel Wednesday said the dangers of playing football are well known across his former teammates and current players.
“I knew what the risks were, you know, and your kids are gonna have to see you maybe be knocked out on the field and laying there unconscious,” Vrabel said.
Vrabel said the goal should be to protect players’ quality of life after football.
“We should do everything that we possibly can to make sure that when our players leave the game, you know, they can be husbands, they can be fathers, they can be friends, and they can have a quality of life,” Vrabel said.
Former athletes, veterans and anyone concerned about CTE can also access support through the Concussion & CTE Foundation’s HelpLine.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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