Study Finds 96% of NFL players’ brains tested positive for CTE

A study published by Frontline revealed research conducted on nearly 100 deceased NFL players showed that over 95 percent of them tested positive for CTE.

Of that group, 40 percent of the positive tests came from offensive or defensive linemen. These are the guys who give or receive hits on pretty much every play of the game.

Researchers point out that many of the players brains who were donated already believed to be showing signs of the disease. CTE can only be detected in the brain after death.

The NFL released a statement saying they will continue to work towards advancements to make the game safer for players.

“We are dedicated to making football safer and continue to take steps to protect players, including rule changes, advanced sideline technology, and expanded medical resources,” the league said. “We continue to make significant investments in independent research through our gifts to Boston University, the [National Institutes of Health] and other efforts to accelerate the science and understanding of these issues.”

For all the missteps and bad press the NFL has endured over the last 18 or so months, it hasn’t translated into being bad for business. The 2015 week 1 opening games gave the NFL its highest ratings debut since 2013, with an average of 19.9 million viewers.