Up to 97.7% of deceased former NFL players may have suffered brain disease. A comprehensive post‑mortem study released in August 2026 examined brain donations from 878 players who died between 2016 and 2021.
The team found 215 of 235 donated brains carried chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive brain disorder that can only be diagnosed after death. This represents an estimated 24.5% to a potential 97.7% prevalence among all deceased athletes, higher than prior community studies.
Lead author Daniel Daneshvar, Harvard Medical School, noted a four‑fold higher death rate from neurodegenerative disease in NFL players compared to the general population. He also highlighted frequent dementia findings in the donor cohort.
Researchers emphasized that many head impacts occurred outside the NFL—at college, high school, and youth levels—contributing to cumulative injury risk. They urged the league to adopt stronger prevention measures across all tiers of football.
An NFL spokesperson replied that the organization continually seeks safer play through concussion‑reducing strategies and expanded resources for veterans’ wellbeing. They encouraged former athletes to utilize these tools for early diagnosis and treatment.
Past actions include a 2016 agreement granting a £700m settlement to over 5,000 former players after a class‑action lawsuit. The study’s findings reinforce the need for clearer future policies on contact practices.
