Brain trauma and its effects on football players have been much discussed in recent years. A new study from Harvard University challenges the prevailing narrative that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is the primary cause of rising suicide rates among NFL players. While CTE—a degenerative brain condition caused by repeated head trauma—has been linked to numerous high-profile suicides, the research indicates that other factors may play a more significant role than previously thought.
Study Findings: A Shift in Suicide Rates
Published in January by members of Harvard's Football Player Health Study (FPHS), the research analyzed death records of approximately 34,000 NFL, NBA, and MLB players between 1979 and 2019. Over the entire period, NFL players were 20% more likely to die by suicide than their basketball and baseball counterparts. However, when broken down by decade, a striking pattern emerged: from 1979 to 2009, NFL players were actually 10% less likely to die by suicide than players in other sports. But from 2009 to 2019, the risk skyrocketed, making NFL players 260% more likely to die by suicide compared to NBA and MLB players.
What Changed in the 2010s?
The study's lead author, Dr. Rachel Grashow, noted that the public narrative around CTE often oversimplifies the issue. "I learned pretty quickly that the public narrative around CTE didn't actually reflect the scientific nuance and the lived experience of many players," she said. The researchers suggest that several factors may explain the dramatic increase in suicide rates after 2009, including suicide contagion—a well-documented phenomenon where high-profile suicides lead to copycat attempts. The 2010s saw several widely covered events, such as the suicide of Hall of Famer Junior Seau in 2012 and the release of the film Concussion in 2015, which brought CTE into the public spotlight.
CTE: One Factor Among Many
The study emphasizes that CTE is just one of many potential contributors to suicide risk among NFL players. Many symptoms commonly associated with CTE—such as memory loss, brain fog, aggression, and depression—are also linked to other conditions like sleep apnea, low testosterone, and high blood pressure. These conditions can be caused or exacerbated by head injuries, with or without the presence of CTE. Additionally, changes in how deaths are classified may have influenced the data. According to study co-author Marc Weisskopf, deaths that would not have been classified as suicides before 2011 may have been labeled as such after 2010 due to increased awareness of head trauma issues.
Implications for Treatment
The findings underscore the importance of considering alternative explanations for CTE-like symptoms. Players like Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett, who was diagnosed with CTE-like symptoms in 2013, have found relief through treatments for conditions like sleep apnea. Similarly, recently retired tight end Hayden Hurst, who experienced a suicide attempt earlier in his career, has spoken about overcoming his struggles after being diagnosed with a non-CTE neurological condition. The study suggests that removing CTE from the center of the discussion opens up a range of treatment options that can improve players' mental health.
In the US, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. In Australia, Lifeline is available at 13 11 14.
