Study Found CTE in Deceased NFL Players
A retrospective analysis identified chronic traumatic encephalopathy in 25 percent of NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Football
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A study revealed that 25 percent of NFL players who passed away between 2016 and 2021 showed evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The findings provide a look at the prevalence of the degenerative brain disease among professional football players during that five-year period.
Why it matters
Understanding the prevalence of CTE among former professional athletes is essential for evaluating long-term health risks associated with career-long participation in high-impact sports. This data contributes to the ongoing medical assessment of neurodegenerative conditions within the professional football community.
A study identified CTE in 25 percent of deceased NFL players. These findings were observed in players who died between 2016 and 2021.
The players
NFL
The National Football League is the professional American football organization that serves as the highest level of the sport in the United States.
The details
The study, which was posted by ESPN, focused on identifying markers of the degenerative brain disease in the brains of deceased individuals who played in the league. By examining this specific cohort, researchers aimed to quantify the impact of professional football participation on long-term neurological health.
Timeline
2016 to 2021: Period in which deceased NFL players were analyzed.
Season Trajectory
This study follows the established research precedent set by the 2017 study by Dr. Ann McKee on CTE prevalence in NFL players. These findings continue the long-term examination of how repeated head impacts affect the neurological health of professional athletes.
The findings underscore the significant health risks tied to professional careers in football. Readers and fantasy players tracking player health should consider these long-term neurological implications when evaluating the physical costs of the sport.
The takeaway
Ongoing research into neurodegenerative disease is crucial for developing better safety protocols and medical support for athletes. Awareness of these findings helps the public understand the long-term physical toll often hidden behind the excitement of professional football.
Further reading
For more context on the ongoing medical research into the sport, visit the Football section.
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