Nearly 75% of former NFL players who died from 2008 to 2023 had CTE, Boston University study finds

Updated on: October 28, 2026 / 11:06 AM EDT / CBS Boston

Nearly 75% of NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a new study led by Boston University researchers finds.

CTE is a degenerative brain disease that is found in people who have suffered repeated blows to the head. It can only be definitively diagnosed after death. CTE has been discovered in football players as well as other athletes, first responders and military members.

The study published in JAMA Network Open shows how CTE, rarely seen in the general population, is far more common among deceased NFL players, lead author Julia Gallini said in a statement.

"With CTE consistently found in less than 1% of donors to community brain banks, an estimated 75% prevalence among NFL players who died over a 16-year period is concerning, and suggests we need to increase efforts to support families, diagnose CTE during life, and treat CTE-related symptoms," Gallini said.

B.U. said the new findings build on a study released in August, which estimated that anywhere from 25% and 98% of ex-NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE.

"The wide range reflected uncertainty about…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/