New data reveals that former National Football League players are more likely than the general public to develop neurological conditions.
League and players' lawyers released the data on Friday, September 12, as part of a proposed $765 million settlement of thousands of concussion lawsuits. The alarming data projects that 14 percent of all former NFL players will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, with another 14 percent developing moderate dementia over the next 65 years.
The report indicates that there are more than 19,000 former NFL players who are still living, which places nearly 6,000 players into those two at-risk groups. Lou Gehrig's disease is projected to affect another 31 players. And 24 will be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease during their lives. The league explains that, what this translates to is an alarming 30 percent of former players will develop debilitating brain conditions.
So how does this compare to the risk faced by the general population?
The NFL report indicates that the diagnosis rate for former players is "materially higher than those expected in the general population" and will come at younger ages. Former players are estimated to be at twice the risk for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease and dementia as the general public between 20-60 years old.
The proposed settlement reportedly includes a sum of $675 million for player awards, $75 million for baseline assessments, $10 million for research and $5 million for public notice. Unfortunately, current players would not be covered under this settlement.
The New York Times explains that the report containing this grim data was prepared for Senior U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody, the presiding judge over the class-action lawsuit accusing the NFL of intentionally hiding information linking concussions to brain injuries.
Former players have until October 14 to opt in or out of the settlement, which is still being ironed out.
Photo: June Rivera
