A new study of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 found that at least 25% had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), NPR reports, offering fresh data on how common the brain disease may be among professional football players.
Key facts
- A new study examined former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021.
- At least 25% of those players were found to have CTE, according to NPR.
- Playing football has long been linked to CTE, NPR reports.
- How prevalent CTE is among players remains unknown, according to NPR.
Playing professional football has long been linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, but exactly how common the brain disease is among players has remained an open question. A new study reported by NPR finds that at least 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had the condition.
According to NPR, the finding that at least a quarter of those players had CTE adds to the body of research on the sport and the disease.
NPR notes that despite years of research, the overall prevalence of CTE among players is still unknown.
The figure is drawn from a specific group of players who died over this recent period, rather than an estimate for all current or former players.
Why it matters
CTE has been a central concern in debates over player safety in football, and NPR reports that the prevalence of the disease among players remains unknown. Additional data on how common it is could inform how leagues, players and families weigh the issue.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of the studied NFL players had CTE?
According to NPR, at least 25% of the former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 and were included in the study had CTE.
What is CTE?
CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a brain disease that has long been linked to playing football, according to NPR.
Is the overall prevalence of CTE among players known?
No. NPR reports that how prevalent CTE is among players is still unknown, despite the new study's findings.