Story perspectives

Former NFL Players Face 4× Neurodegenerative Death Risk

7/10/2026

Summary

Study Finds

Boston University and Concussion & CTE Foundation study found former NFL players die of neurodegenerative disease at four times the population rate.
Study examined 19,824 former players (1960-2019), noting 1,994 deaths, with under-60 deaths showing a 12-fold higher neurodegenerative death rate.
Five-plus-season careers doubled neurodegenerative risk, and skill-position players faced twice the risk of linemen.
Researchers said reducing head-impact force by delaying contact-sport start ages and practice could lower risk.

Summary

Marshawn Kneeland Diagnosed

Marshawn Kneeland, a former Dallas Cowboys pass rusher, was posthumously diagnosed with Stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, analyzed health records of 19,824 NFL players from 1960-2019 and was led by senior author Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, with co-senior Dr. Jesse Mez noting evidence links CTE to increased dementia rates.
The diagnosis announcement, made days before the study’s release, intensified public debate over football-related brain injury.

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Study Finds

Boston University and Concussion & CTE Foundation study found former NFL players die of neurodegenerative disease at four times the population rate.
Study examined 19,824 former players (1960-2019), noting 1,994 deaths, with under-60 deaths showing a 12-fold higher neurodegenerative death rate.
Five-plus-season careers doubled neurodegenerative risk, and skill-position players faced twice the risk of linemen.
Researchers said reducing head-impact force by delaying contact-sport start ages and practice could lower risk.

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