How Many NFL Players Have Killed Themselves Due To Cte

Many people want a clear answer to a difficult question: how many NFL players have killed themselves due to CTE? This is a sensitive topic that mixes medical science, mental health, and the culture of a very popular sport. In this article, we will explain what CTE is, how researchers count cases, what the numbers can and cannot tell us, and why the final total is hard to pin down. We will also share examples that have been widely reported and talk about what the sport is doing to reduce risk. This guide uses simple English and clear sections so anyone can follow along.

What Is CTE?

CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy. It is a brain disease linked to repeated hits to the head over time. These hits do not have to be full concussions. Many small hits, sometimes called sub-concussive impacts, can also add up. CTE can only be diagnosed after death by studying the brain under a microscope.

The Basics of the Disease

In CTE, a protein called tau builds up in an unusual pattern around blood vessels in parts of the brain that manage mood, behavior, impulse control, and thinking. Over years, this can lead to problems with memory, judgment, emotions, and behavior. People with CTE may have trouble controlling impulses, may feel depressed or anxious, and can become more irritable or aggressive. Not everyone who has repeated head impacts gets CTE, but repeated head impacts raise the risk.

Symptoms Seen in Former Players

Former football players with CTE have reported a mix of issues. These can include mood changes like depression, anxiety, or irritability. Some have problems with thinking and memory. Others notice poor judgment or more impulsive choices. Sleep problems and sensitivity to stress are also common. These symptoms can show up years after the last impact, and they may slowly get worse over time.

Why Diagnosis Is Hard

Doctors cannot diagnose CTE in a living person today. They can suspect it based on history and symptoms, but a firm diagnosis requires seeing the tau pattern in the brain after death. This means researchers learn about CTE mostly from people who donate their brains. Because donations are not random, the cases we know about do not represent every player. Families often choose to donate when a loved one showed serious symptoms. That makes the available data skewed toward the worst cases.

Can We Count How Many NFL Players Died by Suicide and Were Later Found to Have CTE?

The short answer is that we can give a careful estimate, but not a perfect count. Publicly reported cases show that at least a dozen former NFL players who died by suicide were later diagnosed with CTE. Researchers and journalists have documented these cases over the past two decades. However, this number is almost certainly an undercount because not every brain is studied, and not every family shares findings publicly.

Why “Due to CTE” Is Not a Simple Statement

Saying someone died “due to CTE” suggests a single cause. In real life, suicide is complex and rarely has just one cause. Mental health history, pain, substance use, life stress, financial strain, brain disease, and many other factors can all play a role. CTE is one factor that may increase risk for mood problems, impulsivity, and poor decision-making. But it is more accurate to say a person died by suicide and was later found to have CTE than to say CTE alone caused the death.

Why This Is Not a Final Number

Several limits make an exact count impossible. First, CTE can be confirmed only after death, and not all families choose brain donation. Second, some families choose privacy, so results are not always public. Third, suicide determinations can be complicated and may be reported differently in different places. Finally, medical science changes. As researchers learn more, lists get updated and numbers shift.

Names Most Often Cited in News Reports

The cases below are some of the most widely reported examples of former NFL players who died by suicide and were later diagnosed with CTE. These examples help explain why the topic receives so much attention and concern. They also show how the conversation has evolved as research grew.

Early Cases That Drew Attention

Terry Long, a former Pittsburgh Steelers lineman, died in 2005. His brain was later studied and showed signs of CTE. This case came not long after the public first heard about CTE in American football, and it raised concern inside the sport about long-term brain health.

Andre Waters, a former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back, died in 2006. A later study found brain changes consistent with CTE. His case drew national media coverage and pushed more people to ask about the link between repeated impacts and later-life mental health.

Shane Dronett, a former defensive lineman who played for teams including the Atlanta Falcons, died in 2009. He was later found to have CTE. His case added to growing evidence that the disease could be tied to changes in mood, behavior, and thinking.

The 2011–2013 Cluster That Changed the Conversation

Dave Duerson, a former Chicago Bears safety, died in 2011. He asked that his brain be studied. Scientists later confirmed CTE. His decision brought major public attention to brain donation and made the topic more widely known.

Ray Easterling, a former Atlanta Falcons safety, died in 2012. He was later found to have CTE. He had been involved in legal actions related to player health, and his case showed how personal and legal debates were mixing with medical science.

Junior Seau, a Hall of Fame linebacker best known for his years with the San Diego Chargers, died in 2012. The National Institutes of Health later confirmed CTE. His fame and respected career brought the CTE discussion into mainstream sports culture in a new way.

Jovan Belcher, a former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, died in a murder-suicide in 2012. Years later, researchers reported CTE in his brain. The case highlighted how behavioral changes and violence may, in some situations, be part of a complex picture that includes brain disease and other stressors.

Paul Oliver, a former San Diego Chargers defensive back, died in 2013. He was later diagnosed with CTE. His case added to concerns about younger retirees showing serious symptoms not long after leaving the game.

From the Mid‑2010s to Recent Years

Adrian Robinson Jr., a former NFL linebacker, died in 2015. Researchers later found he had CTE. His case, like others, drew attention partly because he was relatively young and had played on multiple teams in a short time, a common path for many players.

Aaron Hernandez, a former New England Patriots tight end, died in 2017 while in prison. Boston University researchers later reported he had severe CTE for his age. His case received extensive coverage and sparked conversation about the role of repeated head impacts in mood and behavior changes in young adults.

Greg Clark, a former San Francisco 49ers tight end, died in 2021. His family later shared that he had CTE. This case came at a time when many families felt more comfortable discussing brain health publicly, which helped reduce stigma and improve awareness.

Phillip Adams, a former NFL defensive back, died in 2021 in a murder-suicide case. Researchers later found he had CTE. This example again raised questions about how the disease relates to impulse control, decision-making, and aggression, while reminding the public that many factors influence tragic events.

So, What Is the Number?

Based on public reports and research through 2025, at least a dozen former NFL players who died by suicide were later found to have CTE. Depending on how you count, some lists include a few more cases. The number changes as new diagnoses become public and as families decide whether to share results. Given that only a fraction of former players donate their brains, the true count is likely higher than the number we can confirm in the news.

How Researchers Choose What to Count

Careful counting uses two rules. First, the player must have played in the NFL. Second, medical experts must have reported CTE after studying the brain. If a death is ruled a suicide and the brain shows CTE, many researchers include that in the count. If a player died by suicide but the brain was not checked, researchers cannot confirm CTE. If a player had CTE but died in another way, that case does not belong in a suicide-only list. These rules aim to be consistent, even if they do not capture every sad case.

What the Science Says About CTE and Suicide Risk

Scientists have found that CTE is linked to mood and behavior changes that can raise suicide risk. These include depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and poor judgment. Some studies of former NFL players’ brains have found that those with CTE often had histories of these problems. However, evidence on a direct cause-and-effect link to suicide is still developing. Many people with depression never die by suicide, and many with CTE do not, either. Risk is a combination of brain changes and life context.

Brain Bank Findings and What They Mean

Brain banks that study CTE, such as the group at Boston University, have reported a high percentage of CTE among brains donated by former NFL players. In some reports, more than 90 percent of donated NFL player brains showed CTE. This does not mean that more than 90 percent of all NFL players have CTE. It means that among families who chose to donate, often because of severe symptoms, CTE was very common. This is called selection bias.

Population Studies and Their Limits

Researchers also try to look at large groups of living players. These studies can ask about symptoms, mental health, and life outcomes. But because CTE cannot be diagnosed in living people yet, these studies cannot say exactly who has CTE. They can only estimate risks based on head impacts, number of years played, positions, and symptom patterns. This helps scientists see trends, but it cannot deliver a precise count of suicides linked to CTE.

How Many NFL Players Have CTE in General?

No one knows the exact number. The best data comes from brain donations, which do not represent all players. Over time, brain banks have confirmed CTE in several hundred deceased football players across levels, including a large number of former NFL athletes. Many news reports sum up by saying that hundreds of former NFL players have been diagnosed with CTE after death. Still, because this is not a random sample, it cannot tell us the full rate across all former players.

What About Young and Active Players?

CTE has been found in some young athletes, even in their 20s. These cases often show how early changes can start after repeated impacts. But young brains can also show different patterns than older brains, and not every young player with heavy exposure develops CTE. Again, risk is not destiny. The timing, number of impacts, genetics, other health conditions, and lifestyle factors all play a role.

Why Counting Matters

People want a number because numbers help us understand risk. Families want to know what happened to their loved ones. Players want to plan for their futures. Coaches, leagues, and lawmakers need facts to write safer rules. While the exact count of suicides with confirmed CTE is not final, even conservative estimates show that a notable number of former NFL players have died by suicide and were later found to have the disease. That is enough to drive serious effort to prevent head impacts and support mental health.

The Human Side Behind the Numbers

Every number is a person with a life, a family, and a story. Focusing only on the tally can make us forget the human cost and the lasting pain for loved ones. Better prevention, honest communication, and strong mental health care can reduce risk. The goal is not only to count better but to care better.

What the NFL and Football Community Are Doing

Football at all levels has changed rules to lower head impacts. The NFL has altered kickoff formations, limited full-contact practices, and tightened return-to-play protocols after a suspected concussion. There is more use of independent medical spotters and sideline checks. Equipment makers work on helmet designs that manage impact forces more effectively. Coaching at youth and high school levels now emphasizes safer techniques and fewer hits in practice.

Are These Changes Enough?

Many experts say progress is real but not finished. Kickoff changes helped reduce high-speed collisions in that phase. Practice limits cut total impacts each week. Yet football still includes frequent contact on every snap, especially in the line of scrimmage. Researchers argue for tracking total hits over a season and a career, not just concussions. They suggest that lowering the overall number of hits, especially to the head, is key to lowering long-term risk.

How Players and Families Can Reduce Risk

No single step removes all risk, but many small steps can help. Players can report symptoms early and honestly. Teams can limit full-contact drills, especially when athletes are tired. Coaches can teach and reward safer techniques. Retired players can have regular mental health checkups and talk to doctors about mood changes, sleep problems, or substance use. Families and friends can watch for sudden changes and encourage care without judgment.

When to Seek Help

If someone is struggling with depression, anxiety, impulsivity, or substance use, it is important to talk to a professional. Early support can make a big difference. It is also good to build daily routines that support brain health, including good sleep, physical activity, balanced nutrition, and social connection. These steps do not cure CTE, but they support overall well-being and resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CTE the same as a concussion?

No. A concussion is an injury that happens at a specific time. CTE is a disease that may develop after many repeated head impacts over years. A person can get CTE without ever having a diagnosed concussion. Sub-concussive hits matter.

Can doctors test for CTE in living people?

Not yet. Today, CTE can only be confirmed after death. Researchers are working on brain scans, blood tests, and other markers that may help in the future. For now, doctors look at symptoms and history to estimate risk.

Do helmets prevent CTE?

Helmets help prevent skull fractures and reduce some forces, but they cannot stop the brain from moving inside the skull during a hit. This means helmets alone cannot prevent CTE. Reducing the number and force of hits is still important.

Is CTE only a football problem?

No. CTE has been seen in athletes from other contact sports like boxing, hockey, soccer, and rugby, and in military veterans with blast exposure. But football has many plays with contact and many participants, so it receives a lot of attention.

Does every NFL player get CTE?

No. Risk varies by position, number of years played, total head impacts, genetics, and other factors. Many former players do not develop CTE. At the same time, the disease is common among brains donated by former NFL players, which raises concern.

Why do counts vary across articles?

Counts change because new diagnoses appear, families share or withhold results, and researchers update lists. Some articles include only cases confirmed by a specific research group. Others include cases confirmed by any recognized lab. Some include murder-suicide cases; others separate them. These choices shift totals.

Putting It All Together

So, how many NFL players have killed themselves due to CTE? The best honest answer is this: at least a dozen former NFL players who died by suicide have been publicly confirmed to have CTE after death, and the true number is likely higher. This total changes over time as more families donate and more results become public. It is also important to remember that suicide has many causes. CTE can raise risk by affecting mood and impulse control, but it is usually part of a larger, more complex picture.

Why This Answer Matters

Clarity helps. Families deserve facts. Players need guidance to protect their health. Coaches and leagues need data to write safer rules. Clear language also reduces shame and encourages people to seek help. Balancing careful science with compassion is the best way forward.

Where to Find Help and More Information

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or is in immediate danger, seek help now. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7. If you are outside the U.S., please contact your local health services or a crisis hotline in your country. If you feel unsafe, call your local emergency number right away.

Resources for Players and Families

Former players and families can speak with their primary care doctor or a sports medicine specialist about mood changes, sleep problems, memory issues, or concerns about head impacts. Many player associations and nonprofit groups now offer support programs, counseling referrals, and education on brain health. Asking for help early is a strong and wise step, not a sign of weakness.

Conclusion

Counting how many NFL players have died by suicide with confirmed CTE gives us a sobering but incomplete picture. Public reports support at least a dozen such cases, with the true number likely higher. Because CTE can only be diagnosed after death and because suicide is complex, we cannot say exactly how many died “due to CTE.” What we can say with confidence is that repeated head impacts raise risk for brain changes that can harm mood, behavior, and thinking. We can also say that better prevention, honest conversation, and strong mental health care help.

The path forward includes smarter rules to reduce total head impacts, better monitoring across a player’s career, and easy access to mental health support. Families and teammates can make a difference by spotting changes early and encouraging care. The goal is not just to count tragedies after the fact, but to prevent them. With thoughtful action and compassion, football can keep evolving to protect the people who play it.