Also some indications CTE can lead to or exacerbate ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) aka Lou Gehrig’s disease.
One of my best friends played Division 1 college football. Linebacker. He got hit in the head a LOT. His helmet (which he kept) showed it. I could not have done that much damage to his helmet with a hammer unless I had several hours. He succumbed to ALS. Maybe a coincidence, but a correlation has been shown.
That’s part of why I am a big fan of the anti-targeting rule in football. Now getting hit is part of the game. I played (not Div 1 but another league). You accept that. Heck part of what makes playing football fun - hit and get hit. But getting thumped in the head is no fun. Know. Got a concussion once.
PS I would not wish ALS on my worst enemy. It’s horrific. I still think of him on occasion even though it’s been over a decade since he passed. Almost brings me to tears when I do.
In the 1960s-1970s they started teaching blocking & tackling different then they did before. Don’t hit with the shoulder “stick your helmet\head in there” was what you heard from the coaches even on the little league level. Use your helmet\head as your main striking weapon. I remember the change it was in jr high football.
A couple., who attend our church lost their middle age son to ALS this after a terrible battle with ALS.