New study flags widespread CTE risk among former NFL players who died (2016–2021)
TL;DR
A study of 878 former NFL players who died from 2016–2021 found 235 brains were donated, with 215 showing CTE—roughly one in four—highlighting that most head trauma occurred before NFL play and urging broader prevention and evaluation for cognitive symptoms across all levels of football.
- One-in-four NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE, study shows NBC News
- Study: At least 25% of NFL players in sample had CTE ESPN
- Can you read this study and still love football? vox.com
- NFL: At least one in four dead players had brain disease, says study BBC
- At least 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE, study finds NPR
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