NFLPA Warns Players on New CTE Study, Plans 2 Weeks of Expert Calls
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · Aug 25
NFLPA Warns Players on New CTE Study, Plans 2 Weeks of Expert Calls
3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Aug 25
Summary
Tuesday’s union email to all NFL players and agents said a new Massachusetts General Brigham and Boston University study suggests CTE may be far more common among NFL players than previously understood.
The NFLPA framed the findings as a call to action, urging players to monitor cognitive and neurological symptoms, seek medical evaluation early, and use available treatment and care-navigation resources.
Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, a lead researcher cited in the message, said CTE still can be confirmed only after death but many associated symptoms are treatable and players can improve with specialized care.
Over the next 2 weeks, the union said it will host calls with medical experts and pointed to its investments in brain-health research and support programs for former players.
If many symptoms mimicking CTE are actually treatable, are former athletes suffering in silence when medical intervention could save their cognitive health?
With up to 97 percent of deceased players potentially suffering from CTE, could these hidden brain injuries ultimately force drastic rule changes?
Since repetitive impacts rather than just concussions drive brain disease, is it even possible to make the game of football truly safe?
24.5% of Deceased NFL Players Had CTE: Landmark 2026 BMJ Study Sparks Urgent Calls for Reform
Overview
A major August 2026 BMJ study found that at least 24.5% of deceased NFL players had CTE, linking the disease to cumulative, repetitive head impacts that cause tau protein buildup and brain cell damage. This leads to memory loss, personality changes, and, in advanced cases, a much higher risk of dementia. The findings triggered urgent action from the NFLPA and sparked public fear, sometimes causing hopelessness among former players. As parents become more aware of these dangers, youth tackle football participation is dropping, especially among wealthier families, while the sport increasingly relies on lower-income youth, highlighting deep cultural and legal challenges for football’s future.