Ghanaian community notes increased neurodegenerative disease risk for NFL players

By Ama Serwah — 9 July 2026 — 3 min read

Study reveals heightened risk for former NFL players

A recent study has found that former National Football League (NFL) players face a significantly higher risk of dying from neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, Parkinson’s, and dementia, compared to the general population. The research, a collaborative effort by Mass General Brigham, Boston University, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation, was published in eClinicalMedicine.

The study analyzed health data from 19,824 players who participated in at least one professional football game between 1960 and 2019. While the overall mortality rate for this group was lower than that of the general population, their risk for neurodegenerative mortality was notably higher. Specifically, the study identified a 3.8-times higher rate of dementia and a 3.88-times higher rate of Parkinson’s disease among former NFL players.

Dr. Jesse Mez, a co-senior author of the study and Associate Director of the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, highlighted the magnitude of this finding. He noted that a fourfold increase in dementia rates due to a presumed environmental cause is substantial, comparing it to heavy lead exposure, which was banned due to its neurological consequences and leads to a 2-to-3 times greater rate of dementia.

The impact of career length and the STARS effect

The study also revealed a correlation between career length and neurodegenerative disease risk. Players with longer careers, defined as five seasons or more, had double the risk of neurodegenerative death compared to those who played for four seasons or less. This reinforces a dose-response relationship between years of play and the risk of brain disease, consistent with findings related to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

An interesting aspect of the research is the introduction of the “Selection Through Athletic Resilience Survivor” (STARS) effect. This concept suggests that the genetic, environmental, medical, and behavioral advantages that enable individuals to become professional athletes also contribute to their overall survival. Despite these advantages, which typically lead to lower rates of other health issues like cancer and cardiovascular disease, NFL players still exhibit significantly elevated rates of neurodegenerative diseases.

The authors argue that the fourfold increase in neurodegenerative disease found in NFL players might even underrepresent the true relationship between playing in the NFL and these conditions. This is because, without the inherent health advantages of professional athletes, the rates of brain disease would likely be even higher.

Understanding CTE and recent diagnoses

CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative brain disease that damages nerve cells. It is associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, and has been identified in deceased individuals who were former boxers, NFL players, and military combat veterans. A definitive diagnosis of CTE can only be made after death, though symptoms such as memory loss, impulsive behavior, and depression are potentially linked to the condition.

Recently, the Concussion & CTE Foundation announced that Marshawn Kneeland, who passed away at the age of 24 during his second professional season with the Dallas Cowboys, was diagnosed with CTE. Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, stated that finding CTE in younger athletes is unfortunately not uncommon, as the disease has been found in nearly half of the athletes studied who died before the age of 30.

Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson has also shared his personal health journey, revealing a diagnosis of ALS. He mentioned that he has lost the ability to speak, stating, “At first, you’re in shock. Then you realize you have two choices. You can give up, or you can fight. I chose to fight.”

The study emphasizes that the spike in brain-related mortality was particularly pronounced among younger athletes, with former NFL players who died before the age of 60 showing a 12-fold increase in neurodegenerative death compared to age-matched individuals in the general public.

Source: eu.usatoday.com