Former football players have worse cognitive and behavioral outcomes later in life compared with peers not exposed to repeated head impacts, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open. The effects were dose-dependent—professional players had more cognitive issues than those who stopped playing football in college or high school.Why It’s Relevant
Numerous studies have found a connection between playing football—and the risk of repeated head impacts—and neuropsychiatric problems like poor memory. But existing research has been mainly conducted on professional players; millions of U.S. men have played tackle football at some level, so understanding the effects of cumulative head impacts on brain health is crucial.
By the Numbers
- Compared with 282 matched male controls with no exposure to head impacts, 661 former football players (ages 40+, average age 58) performed worse on a computerized cognitive test, reported more subjective cognitive concerns, and had more depressive symptoms.
- In a second analysis involving 3,970 former youth, high school, collegiate, and professional players, both more years playing football and reaching higher levels of play were associated with greater neuropsychiatric problems.
- Compared with players who stopped at the youth or high school level, former professional players had 1.36 times the odds of having clinically meaningful cognitive concerns, 1.61 times the odds of having impaired behavioral regulation, and 2.21 times the odds of clinically meaningful depressive symptoms.
- Another proxy for the frequency and severity of head impacts—earlier age starting football—was not associated with greater cognitive or behavioral problems. Researchers also found no significant differences related to playing position.
The Other Side
As with other studies involving former athletes, the sample may be skewed because former football players without cognitive or mood problems might be less likely to participate. Due to limited numbers, youth and high school players were grouped together, so no comparisons were available. The researchers also didn’t differentiate starting players versus reserves, nor did they exclude footballers who played other contact sports or served in the military.
Takeaway Message
“Although the current results do not provide insights into individual risk … consideration of years and level of football play offer a practical method to guide clinicians and researchers in determination of risk for later-life cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms,” the researchers wrote.
Related Information
Source
Anna Aaronson, et al. Cognitive and neuropsychiatric function in former American football players. JAMA Network Open. Published February 27, 2026. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.60077
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