Recent research has shed light on the cognitive challenges faced by some former NFL players diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disease associated with repeated head trauma. The study, conducted by the Boston University CTE Center, found that many of these players exhibited significant memory and cognitive deficits prior to their deaths.
The investigation focused on the brains of 33 former NFL players who had donated their bodies for research between 2017 and 2025. All participants had been diagnosed with CTE posthumously, with an average age of 65 at the time of death. This study represents a crucial step in understanding the long-term effects of concussions and head injuries sustained during professional football careers.
Participants underwent neurocognitive testing as part of the NFL Concussion Settlement’s Baseline Assessment Program (BAP), which assesses eligibility for compensation related to concussion injuries. The scoring system ranges from 0 to 2, with a score of 0 indicating no cognitive impairment. Alarmingly, the study revealed that 63% of the players suffered from short-term memory issues, while other cognitive impairments included executive function deficits (52%), language difficulties (41%), and attention problems (26%).
Among the seven players who were diagnosed with advanced stages of CTE upon autopsy, six had previously demonstrated significant learning and memory deficits in life. However, all scored a zero on the BAP testing, disqualifying them from receiving compensation under the NFL's concussion settlement guidelines. This raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the BAP in identifying players who require support.
Lead researcher Anna Aaronson, a neuroscience Ph.D. candidate at Boston University, emphasized the limitations of the current testing program. "Our study wasn’t designed to evaluate the settlement program comprehensively, but we identified potential shortcomings in the BAP. The criteria may be overly stringent, and aligning BAP testing with clinical care standards could ensure that individuals receive the necessary support," she stated in an interview.
The NFL responded to the findings by highlighting that the settlement agreement is managed by a federal judge and that all decisions regarding medical and monetary awards are made independently of the league. The organization maintains that the settlement was thoroughly vetted and deemed fair by the courts.
Currently, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem through brain analysis. The risk for NFL players is particularly high due to the nature of their profession, which often involves repeated concussive and sub-concussive impacts. A separate study published recently estimated that at least 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were found to have CTE.
Moreover, players with high-stage CTE exhibited more severe language and memory impairments during their lives, according to assessments conducted by independent mental health professionals. Aaronson noted, "We established a link between objective neuropsychological testing and CTE for the first time, which could pave the way for better diagnostic methods before death and help prevent overlooked cases of CTE during a player's life."
This research is pivotal in the ongoing conversation about the health and safety of athletes in contact sports, as it underscores the urgent need for improved diagnostic tools and support systems for those affected by the long-term consequences of head injuries.
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