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Updated on: August 25, 2026 / 11:12 AM EDT / CBS News At least a quarter of ex-NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE — a much higher rate than is seen in the general population, a study released Tuesday showed. CTE is a brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head. Former NFL stars like Junior Seau , Demaryius Thomas and Mike Webster were all found to have the disease, which can only be definitively diagnosed after someone dies by examining their brain tissue. The disease isn't exclusive to football. MLS player Scott Vermillion was also diagnosed with it following his death.
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