BMJ Study Shows 25% of Former NFL Players Died with CTE

BMJ Study Shows 25% of Former NFL Players Died with CTE

Health

The British Medical Journal published a study using UNITE Brain Bank samples that found 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, prompting calls for broader action within football. Earlier reporting had noted the same estimate, with the BMJ study estimating that a quarter of recent NFL deaths had CTE.

Actors

The BMJ National Football League (NFL) NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Locations

London, United Kingdom New York City, United States Washington, D.C., United States

Fact Check

How these metrics work
Verdict: Partially confirmed Confidence: 74% Claims: 2
At a glance

The claim that research published on August 25, 2026, in the British Medical Journal estimates that 25% of NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy is confirmed. The claim that research using brain samples from the UNITE Brain Bank shows that 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy is partially confirmed.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

August 25, 2026
8 total
Study Finds At Least One Quarter of Former NFL Players Who Died 2016-2021 Had CTE
Study Finds At Least One Quarter of Former NFL Players Who Died 2016-2021 Had CTE

Yahoo Sports • 25 Aug 20:21

Research using brain samples from the UNITE Brain Bank shows that 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, prompting calls for broader action within football.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
NFLPA emails players about new study linking CTE to higher prevalence among athletes
NFLPA emails players about new study linking CTE to higher prevalence among athletes

NBC Sports • 25 Aug 19:24

The NFL Players Association sent an email to all members and agents highlighting a recent study that suggests chronic traumatic encephalopathy may be more common among former players, and outlined resources for diagnosis and care.

Credibility 72% Manip. 27% Center
Study Finds At Least One Quarter of Recent NFL Deaths Had CTE
Study Finds At Least One Quarter of Recent NFL Deaths Had CTE

The New York Times • 25 Aug 19:01

Research published in The BMJ indicates that a minimum of 24.5% of NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, based on brain donations.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
Study finds at least 25% of deceased former NFL players diagnosed with CTE
Study finds at least 25% of deceased former NFL players diagnosed with CTE

CBS News • 25 Aug 15:12

Research published in the British Medical Journal indicates that a quarter of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a rate far above that of the general population.

Credibility 73% Manip. 10% Center
Study Finds Up to 98% of Deceased NFL Players May Have Had Brain Disease
Study Finds Up to 98% of Deceased NFL Players May Have Had Brain Disease

BBC • 25 Aug 11:54

Research on former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 suggests that between 24.5% and 97.7% showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, with dementia also common among brain donors.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
Study Finds At Least One Quarter of Recent NFL Deaths Had CTE
Study Finds At Least One Quarter of Recent NFL Deaths Had CTE

ESPN • 25 Aug 11:48

Research published in the British Medical Journal estimates that 25% of NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
Study finds over a quarter of NFL players who died 2016-2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Study finds over a quarter of NFL players who died 2016-2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy

NBC Sports • 25 Aug 10:37

Research published in The BMJ indicates that at least 24.5% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with CTE, prompting comments from the league, the players' union and former OSHA officials.

Credibility 72% Manip. 47% Center
Study finds at least a quarter of deceased NFL players had CTE
Study finds at least a quarter of deceased NFL players had CTE

NPR • 25 Aug 09:00

Research using death records and brain donations estimates that roughly 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, with the true prevalence likely higher.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center

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