A recent study published in The BMJ examined brain tissue from former NFL players and found that over 93% showed physical signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The research estimated that between 25% and 98% of deceased players from this era likely had the condition, though researchers caution that these findings should not be applied to current players or younger athletes.
According to Thayne Munce, a concussion researcher at the University of Kansas, the study’s subjects played professionally during the 1960s and 1970s, making it a historical analysis rather than a current risk assessment. Munce emphasizes that football has changed dramatically over the past 50 years through improved equipment, stricter rules against dangerous tackling techniques, and better concussion recognition and management. He notes that the study’s wide range of estimates reflects uncertainty about how representative the brain donor sample was compared to all players from that era.
Importantly, Munce points out that physical signs of CTE do not always correlate with clinical symptoms such as dementia or cognitive decline, though severe cases show stronger associations. He stresses that current players, high school athletes, and youth players face considerably lower risks than their predecessors due to reduced head-impact exposure and improved safety practices.
When speaking with families, Munce emphasizes that football remains safer than ever before and that the benefits of participation typically outweigh the risks for younger players. He advocates for continued research into brain health improvements and diagnostic methods that could eventually identify CTE in living individuals rather than only at autopsy.
Originally reported by Livescience →
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