Boston University Researchers Estimate 75% of Deceased NFL Players Likely Had CTE

A study published on Wednesday by researchers at Boston University estimates that three out of four former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 most likely suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. This figure represents the highest prevalence estimate to date for the degenerative brain disease. The researchers analyzed 396 donated brains and cross-referenced national death records for 1,966 other deceased former players to reach the conclusion.

The new methodology addresses a bias in previous research, which relied heavily on brain donations from families who knew their loved ones had cognitive decline. By including data from players who did not donate brains, the team led by Dr. Daniel Daneshvar provided a more comprehensive view of CTE rates. The study builds on earlier work from April, which found that at least one in four players who died between 2016 and 2021 had the disease.

Parents of young athletes are increasingly weighing these findings against the physical demands of tackle football. Sandeep Basran, an assistant coach in the Chicago area, has placed his nine-year-old son on a flag football team to avoid repetitive head impacts. Basran noted that he believes minor hits accumulate over time to damage the brain. He also cited the risk of injury affecting his son's ability to play other sports, such as basketball and tennis, as a factor in avoiding tackle.

Flag football is gaining traction as a non-contact alternative with fewer players and less equipment. According to the Aspen Institute's State of Play report, flag football was the only team sport to grow in participation among children ages 6 to 17 between 2019 and 2024. Participation in flag rose by 14 percent during that period, while tackle football declined by 7 percent. Among children ages 6 to 12, flag has surpassed tackle as the more commonly played form of the game.

Growth is particularly strong in girls' flag football, which is now an official sport in Illinois high schools. Joe Becker, owner of i9 Sports in Chicago, stated that the league is actively marketing to girls given the upcoming Olympic debut. Tim Lewis, a coach in San Diego, observed a surge in girls' flag participation, noting that the community is growing rapidly at the high school level.

The NFL responded to the new data in an emailed statement, saying the league continuously strives to make the game safer by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts. Flag football is scheduled to debut as an official Olympic sport at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Until then, leagues like NFL FLAG serve more than 620,000 kids ages 4 to 17 across the country, offering a path for young athletes to engage with the sport without the physical contact of tackle.