New study finds NFL players nearly four times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease
NBC Sports • • technology
Key Points:
- A new study by Mass General Brigham, Boston University, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation finds NFL players have nearly four times higher risk of death from neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, Parkinson’s, and ALS compared to the general population.
- The risk increases with career length, with players having five or more NFL seasons facing almost double the risk of neurodegenerative death compared to those with shorter careers.
- Researchers link the elevated dementia rates primarily to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), comparing the fourfold increase to the known risks from heavy lead exposure.
- Despite this increased risk, NFL players generally live longer than non-players due to factors like superior physical and cognitive health, resilience, and healthier behaviors.
- While many athletes accept the risk of injury inherent in professional sports, this study highlights the importance of awareness regarding the serious long-term neurological risks associated with contact sports.
