CTE Found in 25% of Former NFL Players | Dayton News

Dayton News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 26, 2026 · 1m

New research reveals that at least one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE — a degenerative brain disease tied to repeated head trauma. Diagnosing CTE is only possible after death, making brain donations crucial — and researchers believe the 25% figure may be conservative. Symptoms include memory loss, mood swings, and dementia, with nearly all Stage Four cases also showing dementia. While the NFL claims it’s improving safety, this study underscores ongoing concerns for player health, especially since most studied athletes played before CTE became widely…