Study: About 75% of NFL Players Who Died 2008–2023 Had CTE
A Boston University-led study in JAMA Network Open looked at all 2,362 former NFL players who died from 2008 to 2023. Of 387 donated brains examined, 362 (93.5%) had CTE. After adjusting for the fact that families of players with symptoms donate about five times as often, researchers estimate 74.5% of all those players had CTE at death. It is a statistical estimate for deceased players only, not living or active ones.
What’s confirmed
- A Boston University-led study in JAMA Network Open looked at all 2,362 former NFL players who died from 2008 to 2023.
- Of 387 donated brains examined, 362 (93.5%) had CTE.
- After adjusting for the fact that families of players with symptoms donate about five times as often, researchers estimate 74.5% of all those players had CTE at death.
- It is a statistical estimate for deceased players only, not living or active ones.
Confirmed by 3 independent outlets: NBC News, Science News and Boston University.
What would move the score
- Now: 97% with 3 independent confirmations plus the primary source.
- Up: more independent outlets or primary records confirming the core claim.
- Down: a counted source correcting or walking back its report, or new evidence that weakens the claim.
Any change is logged below with the time and the old and new score. Corrections policy
Confirmation record
Plus the primary source: the JAMA Network Open study.| ✓ | NBC News Counted https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/study-estimates-75-nfl-players-died-15-year-span-may-cte-rcna605975 |
| ✓ | Science News Counted https://www.sciencenews.org/article/football-nfl-players-cte-brain-disease |
| ✓ | Boston University Counted https://www.bu.edu/articles/2026/nfl-brain-disease-boston-study/ |
| · | Primary source Plus the primary source: the JAMA Network Open study. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2855918 |
Updated / Corrected log
- Published at 97% with 3 independent confirmations.
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