NFLPA Urges Members to Address High CTE Rates in Former Players

A recent study published in The British Medical Journal found that about one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed posthumously with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease.

The research, conducted by Mass General Brigham and Boston University, examined 878 deaths over six years, with 231 players donating their brains for analysis; 91.4% of those were found to have CTE.

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) responded on Tuesday with a strong message to all active and former players, urging vigilance and a commitment to further research and care.

The NFLPA emphasized the serious risks football poses and highlighted resources available to players and their families.

In a detailed email to members, the NFLPA stated, "Protecting your health and safety is one of our core priorities. Every day, we are focused on improving player safety on the field and supporting healthier lives long after football."

"The study suggests that CTE may be significantly more common among NFL players than previously understood, reinforcing the importance of continued research, care, and support," the email continued.

The message acknowledged the concern such findings may cause but encouraged hope, noting many symptoms associated with CTE overlap with other treatable medical conditions.

Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, a lead researcher on the study, said, "Many of the symptoms associated with CTE are treatable with the right care. While we don’t have a cure yet, we have seen improvements in players who receive care from doctors specializing in neurodegenerative disease and who know how to treat athletes. No one should walk away thinking there's nothing they can do."

The NFLPA highlighted its ongoing investments in brain health research and care, collaborating with institutions like the American Brain Foundation and Harvard University's Football Players Health Study.

The union also offers support through its Former Players Department, providing evaluations, wellness support, care navigation, and treatment resources.

The message called for collective responsibility within the football community to advance research, improve care access, and develop better treatments for those affected by the long-term effects of the sport.

Players were urged to monitor their cognitive and neurological health and seek evaluation if concerns arise. The NFLPA plans to host calls with medical experts over the next two weeks to provide further context and answer questions.