A new study just hit like a ton of bricks, confirming what many of us have feared about the long-term health risks in pro football. At least 24.5 percent of all former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were found to have CTE, a devastating brain disease. This isn’t just some abstract stat; it’s a stark reality check for everyone who loves this game and worries about the athletes putting their bodies on the line.
The Numbers Don’t Lie, And They’re Probably Worse
Let’s break down what this actually means. Over that five-year period, 878 former NFL players passed away. Of those, a staggering 215 were confirmed to have CTE. But here’s the kicker: for the remaining 663 players, their brains weren’t even studied for the disease. Think about that for a second. The real percentage could be significantly higher than 24.5 percent, and that’s a chilling thought. This isn’t just a concern; it’s a flashing red light for the league, especially when you see the New York Times, through John Branch, heavily promoting these findings from The BMJ. It’s a good look for the Times, showing some serious independence, especially with all the talk about content partnerships between the NFL and The Athletic, which the Times owns.
OSHA’s Absence Is Getting Hard To Explain
This study also brings up a massive question that needs an answer: where is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in all of this? Former OSHA chief Doug Parker didn’t pull any punches when he told Branch, “I don’t think that this would be abided in any industry.” Another former head of OSHA, David Michaels, called the CTE rate “astoundingly high.” When two former leaders of the organization tasked with ensuring worker safety are saying the current situation is unacceptable, you have to wonder what’s going on. Why isn’t anyone stepping in? This isn’t about blaming the players; it’s about making sure the league is doing everything possible to protect them, especially when the risks are this clear and documented.
As we kick off another NFL season, and our very own Seahawks just had a tough 16-19 battle against the Titans, these discussions are more important than ever. The grind is real, and the stakes are high every single Sunday. You gotta wonder what’s next for the league when these kinds of numbers keep coming out. This Sunday, our Hawks are back, and we’ll be there to cheer them on, but these questions about player safety are always going to be in the back of our minds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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