A study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine reports that former NFL players are four times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases—including ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia—than the general population. While these athletes typically show lower mortality rates for cardiovascular disease and cancer due to their physical fitness, their elevated risk for brain-related decline remains a significant public health concern linked to repetitive head impacts.
Mortality Risks and Neurodegenerative Disease
Researchers from Boston University, Mass General Brigham, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation analyzed data from 19,824 current and former NFL players who debuted between 1960 and 2019. The study, which utilized records from the National Death Index, identified 178 deaths attributed to neurodegenerative conditions among the 1,994 deceased players studied.
The findings indicate that dementia mortality rates were 3.8 times higher for NFL players compared to the general public, while Parkinson’s disease mortality was 3.88 times higher. Jesse Mez, a senior coauthor and codirector of clinical research at the BU CTE Center, notes that this fourfold increase is substantial. According to the research team, this trend is likely driven by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition associated with repeated head trauma that is frequently identified in the brains of deceased former players.
The Role of Position and Career Duration
The risk for neurodegenerative disease correlates with the intensity and duration of a player’s career. Athletes who played in the NFL for more than five years faced double the risk of dying from a neurodegenerative disease compared to those with careers lasting one to four years.
Positional differences also played a role in mortality outcomes. Players in "speed positions" faced double the dementia rate of "non-speed" players, such as offensive and defensive linemen. Researchers suggest this disparity may be linked to higher cumulative g-force exposure experienced by players in speed-related roles.
Understanding the "STARS" Effect
Despite the increased risk of neurodegenerative decline, the study found that NFL players generally exhibit lower overall mortality rates than the general population. This phenomenon is termed the "selection through athletic resilience survivor" (STARS) effect.
Because professional football players are selected for their high level of physical fitness and typically maintain better cardiovascular health, they are statistically less likely to die from common causes like heart disease or cancer. However, this "athletic resilience" does not appear to provide a protective buffer against the neurological damage caused by football.
“In the general population, better physical fitness and cardiovascular health are also protective factors for neurodegenerative mortality,” says Mez. “Nonetheless, former NFL players have a fourfold increased rate of neurodegenerative mortality, presumably related to their repetitive head impacts.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary cause of the increased neurodegenerative risk?
Researchers attribute the higher rates of dementia, Parkinson’s, and ALS to repetitive head impacts sustained during football play, which are linked to the development of CTE.
Did the study find higher rates of all causes of death?
No. The study found that NFL players actually have lower overall mortality rates than the general population, largely due to superior physical fitness and access to medical care, a phenomenon researchers call the STARS effect.
Does playing a specific position change the risk?
Yes. The study identified that players in "speed" positions had twice the dementia rate of "non-speed" players, likely due to higher cumulative g-force exposure during games.