Study Suggests High CTE Prevalence Among Deceased Former NFL Players
A recent study published in The BMJ suggests that at least 25% of former NFL players who passed away between 2016 and 2021 may have had CTE. The study's findings are gaining attention in Chicago.
Chicago, IL, August 25, 2026 —
A recent study published in the medical journal The BMJ indicates a significant prevalence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) among deceased former National Football League (NFL) players. The research suggests that at least 25% of former NFL players whose deaths occurred between 2016 and 2021 may have had CTE.
The findings from this study are drawing attention, including within the Chicago area, raising further questions about the long-term neurological health impacts of professional football.
CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma. The study’s methodology and specific findings, including the exact percentage and the criteria used for diagnosis, were detailed in the publication. The timeframe examined for player deaths spans from 2016 to 2021.
The research contributes to an ongoing body of work exploring the link between American football and neurodegenerative diseases. While the study points to a substantial potential rate of CTE in the studied cohort, the exact number of players examined and the specific diagnostic processes were outlined in the BMJ publication.
The implications of such findings continue to be a subject of discussion among medical professionals, former athletes, and the public, particularly concerning player safety and the potential long-term consequences of playing professional football.
Story summarized from the original created by WLS-TV.Website@abc.com(WLS-TV Chicago) on abc7chicago.com, see more information here.
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