@dailymailsportusa: A new study has found 75 percent of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had the neurodegenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. The study was published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open by researchers at Boston University, Mass General Brigham and the Concussion & CTE Foundation. Some of those same researchers also published a paper in August that estimated one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE. CTE is a disease that can only be diagnosed after death, meaning research on the subject depends on brains donated by players or their families. Symptoms include memory loss, depression and suicidal thoughts but it can only be definitively diagnosed after death. Julia Gallini, the lead author on the paper, said the estimated figure of 75 percent was 'concerning'. She insisted more needs to be done 'to support families, diagnose CTE during life, and treat CTE-related symptoms.' 'Many cases may have been early stage at the time of death and possibly symptom free,' the paper added. The NFL, in a statement, said the league 'continuously strives to make the game of football safer, including by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts. 'We encourage former players to utilize these resources to identify and seek treatment when they are concerned about their health.' The NFL Players Association said such studies 'are critical to improving our understanding of football's long-term impacts.' Studies suggest that more than 300 deceased players have suffered from the debilitating condition associated with repeated blows to the head during contact sports like football and boxing. The more than 300 players diagnosed posthumously include former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson, a four-time Pro Bowler, who shot himself in the chest in 2011 after writing a note asking for his brain to be examined. Retired San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau killed himself the following year. A study of his brain later revealed damage consistent with CTE. The disorder was also discussed after Vontae Davis - the 35-year-old brother of Super Bowl winner Vernon Davis – was found dead at his Florida mansion in April 2024 after he binged on methamphetamine, MDMA and cannabis. His ex-wife Megan Harpe told the Daily Mail: 'The struggles Vontae endured during and after his NFL career - the confusion, mood changes, memory loss, impulsivity, changes in character, extreme changes in behavior - were real. 'I never needed a CTE diagnosis to know what I was dealing with when Vontae retired. Those symptoms shaped the final year of his life, which ended too soon.' #cte #nfl #nflfootball #concussion #sports

Noah :

This is why they get paid millions

Lawson :

The helmets give a false sense of security cause way more repetitive hits to the head whereas in rugby they have no helmets so nobody gonna hit a guy with their bare head

Terry Montana :

And nfl has the most safety gear of any physical sport. Does rugby have same issue? Maybe the helmets cause it?

FloridaMan :

and they determined this how? digging up and re autopsy ? because only a select few have been studied.

Lilly Pad :

The love of the game comes at a price

Annlhilated :

Water is wet.

user9614723078439 :

This is not a sport, it is The Purge

Tobias Stanley :

I honestly thought it would be closer to 90%

SONNY REIGN CAMMARATA :

Imagine octagon fighters.

EVANSTHE2ND :

back when they had a bucket

Brian Berry :

Dang 💯

PMS253 :

SICK

Tony2timezz :

😭😭😭

David_Daveed777 :

GenDontCare :

Well duh

mariemaddock3 :

never would have guessed

Ralph :

Wouldn’t really say bombshell.. playing football you’re pretty much guaranteed CTE in some way shape or form. Most of these guys have been at it since they were like 3 minutes old

Superwolfonyt :

One thing you have to understand it effects everyone differently so they can have obvious damage after brains tested but be no signs and others talk like 1920 boxers

Chino-G :

No shit it’s football not ballet😑😑 this is why they get paid millions they know the risk and the reward

Cody Bentley :

Is it weird to think cam skataboo probably got excited over this ?

mjg_000 :

It’s crazy. I’m starting to notice ALS and Parkinson’s are often associated with them.

NBadger :

quit trying to pussify football..I wanna see big hits, they get paid millions and they know the risk..

loso.el.californio :

Too much fear mongering going around. What are we supposed to do? Be weak n lame?

NOBODY :

But fuck us veterans with combat TBIs 🙄

lanocity :

I’m more surprised by the 25% that didn’t