Winnipeg: Study estimates 25% of deceased former NFL players had CTE

By Liam Tremblay — 26 August 2026 — 5 min read

CTE prevalence in former NFL players

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) estimates that approximately 25 per cent of former National Football League (NFL) players who died between 2016 and 2021 showed evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of their death. CTE is a degenerative brain disease that can only be diagnosed post-mortem and is linked to repeated head injuries.

Researchers examined 235 donated brains from a group of 878 former NFL players who passed away during the specified six-year period. Of these, 215 were found to have CTE. Symptoms associated with CTE include memory and thought processing issues, as well as personality changes such as aggression and impulsivity. Advanced stages of CTE can lead to dementia, with symptoms typically appearing several years after the initial trauma.

Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, lead author of the study and chair of Physical Medical Rehabilitation at Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, noted the surprising commonality of CTE among the donors. He highlighted the significant difference between less than one per cent in the general population and at least 25 per cent among former NFL players. The study’s findings also included former players who died at relatively young ages, with some passing away in their 20s and more than a dozen in their 30s, reflecting those who played in the more modern era.

The study also explored the connection between CTE and dementia, observing that over 90 per cent of individuals with the most advanced stage of CTE, Stage 4, also had a dementia diagnosis. Dr. Carmela Tartaglia, a clinician scientist at University Health Network’s Krembil Brain Institute, stated that the findings reinforce the link between repetitive head impacts and neurodegenerative disease, emphasizing the need for more prevention to enhance player safety.

Dr. Tartaglia also cautioned that the study’s estimate of one in four former players likely represents a minimum incidence, suggesting the actual reality could be higher. Dr. Lesley Ritchie from the University of Manitoba added that while CTE is a concern in high-exposure groups, it remains rare in the general population. She clarified that most individuals who experience concussions or repetitive head injuries recover fully and do not experience significant long-term decline related to head trauma. The results of the BMJ study are specific to former NFL players and are not generalizable to living players, athletes in other sports, or the broader sporting community.

Efforts to enhance player safety

Professional sports leagues, including the NFL, have implemented measures to protect players. These include allowing players to wear extra protective caps. An NFL spokesperson stated that the league is continuously working to make the game safer by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts. The NFL also remains committed to providing resources for the well-being of its community and encourages former players to utilize these resources for health concerns.

Dr. Daneshvar pointed out that the majority of head impacts experienced by former NFL players often occurred at collegiate, high school, and youth levels, rather than exclusively at the professional level. He stressed that these cumulative hits contribute to an increased risk of CTE. The NFL’s 2011 collective bargaining agreement limited contact practices during the season, and the Ivy League banned full-contact tackling in practices five years later.

Tim Fleiszer, a former Canadian Football League (CFL) player and head of the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada, advocates for more protection for young athletes. He suggests that children under the age of 12 or 13 should avoid activities involving head exposure, such as headers in soccer, tackling in football or rugby, and body checking in hockey. Hockey Canada has already made policy changes regarding body checking some years ago.

Fleiszer would like to see national legislation similar to Rowan’s Law in Ontario, which was introduced in 2018. This law provides a framework for how coaches, parents, team trainers, and athletes should respond to suspected brain injuries during sports. A study released last year indicated a nine per cent drop in sport-related traumatic injuries in Ontario between 2018 and 2019 following the implementation of this legislation.

Fleiszer also emphasized the importance of reducing impacts athletes receive during their careers, particularly in practice. He noted that the NFL and CFL have implemented strict limits on contact in practice, as nearly 70 per cent of head impacts occur during practice sessions. He believes that if changes implemented at the NFL level, such as reducing contact in sports practices to less than one per week, were adopted at collegiate, high school, and youth levels, athletes would benefit significantly.

Football Manitoba’s approach to safety

Bill Johnson, executive director of Football Manitoba, acknowledged the inherent risks in playing football but affirmed the organization’s commitment to mitigating them. He highlighted their safe contact training for coaches and athletes, which teaches how to hit without involving the head in play. Johnson also mentioned advancements in helmet technology and programs that ensure helmets are reconditioned every two years to maintain safety standards.

Johnson stated that the safety and protection of young athletes have become a primary focus in the sport. He expressed his impression with football’s proactive approach to these issues over his ten years of involvement, noting the continuous efforts to make the game as safe as possible.

Dr. Daneshvar urged current and former athletes experiencing cognitive symptoms to seek evaluation from a neurodegenerative disease expert.

Source: cp24.com