Football safety remains focus as new CTE study released
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- As football season gets underway for Durham Public Schools, safety remains a top concern as researchers continue to learn more about chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.
CTE is a brain disease linked to repeated head impacts.
"It's a progressive neurodegenerative condition that comes from sustaining repeated blows to the head over time," neurologist Leah Croll said.
A new study found that at least 25% of NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE. Croll said head impacts do not have to result in a concussion to increase the risk of developing the disease.
"They can be what we call sub-concussive hits," Croll said. "Over time, having more and more instances where you're hit in the head, that can contribute to increasing your risk for developing this condition."
Advocates described the study as a "sobering reminder that football carries real risks."
In a statement to ABC11, the NFL said the league "continuously strives to make the game of football safer, including by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts."
CTE can only be diagnosed after death, meaning research has relied heavily on brains donated by players and their families. Researchers say that limitation makes it difficult to fully understand how the disease develops and how it can be prevented or treated in living people.
"It really slows down our research efforts when it comes to prevention and treatment of CTE, and that's a huge problem, particularly when it comes to kids," Croll said.
The study comes as a 17-year-old high school quarterback in Wisconsin died after suffering an on-field injury during a game.
"Any time a student-athlete loses their life or suffers a severe head trauma is concerning to everyone," Durham Public Schools athletic director David Hackney said. "We try to take every safety measure to try to prevent those things from happening."
Durham Public Schools uses Guardian Caps, soft-shell padding worn over traditional football helmets. Hackney said the equipment has helped student-athletes.
"I think Guardian Caps is a big step, but we can take it a step further," Hackney said.
Hackney said licensed professionals are also on-site at Durham football games to evaluate injuries. After an injury, an athletic trainer assesses when it is safe for a student-athlete to return to action.
"We monitor concussion protocols," Hackney said. "Our athletic trainers do an awesome job of making sure they're following up with the student-athlete, as well as their parents, to make sure that they're following all those safety measures and that they take every precaution before they are allowed back on the field."
School officials said those measures are intended to reduce risks and help protect student-athletes throughout the football season.
