Study estimates at least 1 in 4 former NFL players who died 2016-2021 had CTE
A study published in The BMJ by researchers from Mass General Brigham, Boston University, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation estimated that at least 24.5% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Researchers analyzed 878 former player deaths in that period, finding 215 of 235 donated brains had CTE. The study urged reducing repetitive head impacts across all levels of football.
13
Divergence score
8 outlets covered it, splitting into 6 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
6 camps
4 bias groups
The spectrum · how 8 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
CNN
Globe and Mail
BBC
ABC News
Breitbart
The Hill
PBS NewsHour
Newsmax
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
CNN
1 in 4 former NFL players who died from 2016 to 2021 had CTE, study estimates
study methodology and broader context · neutral
Breitbart
Study: At Least 1 in 4 Ex-NFL Players Who Died from 2016 to 2021 Had CTE
alarm at high CTE and dementia rates · negative
First to report
- CNNfirst
- Newsmax+17.4 h
- BBC+17.9 h
- Globe and Mail+20.0 h
- ABC News+20.3 h
- Breitbart+20.3 h
- The Hill+22.0 h
- PBS NewsHour+28.6 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
The split, in one line
Most outlets relay the same figures, but BBC leads with the 97.7% maximum estimate while others foreground the conservative 25% minimum; Breitbart emphasizes the 61.3% dementia rate as an alarm signal others bury.
How each outlet covered it
Broad agreement on what happened
Outlets across the spectrum land in roughly the same place: the shared language is highlighted.
13LOW DIVERGENCE
THE RIGHT
“Study: At Least 1 in 4 Ex-NFL Players Who Died from 2016 to 2021 Had CTE”B Breitbart RIGHT
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“At least one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE, study shows” · Globe and Mail, BBC, The Hill
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 8 outlets put it
CENTER2
HThe Hill Study suggests at least 25 percent of NFL players get CTE 18d ago PBSPBS NewsHour New study reveals widespread signs of brain trauma among former NFL players - PBS 18d ago 9 tracked claims across 8 outlets
Fact ledger
All9Claimed1Corroborated8
5/8
Claimed
The study was released on Tuesday August 25, 2026
Corroborated
Disputed
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