Following the suicide of 24-year-old Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland in November 2025, post-mortem analysis from the Concussion & CTE Foundation confirmed a diagnosis of stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). According to Boston University CTE Center researchers, experts reiterate that modern concussion protocols do not prevent the progressive brain condition caused by repeated head impacts.
How does CTE develop in modern athletes?
Despite advancements in equipment and safety regulations, athletes continue to develop CTE. Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, noted that researchers have identified the disease in nearly half of the athletes studied who died before the age of 30. According to Dr. McKee, while the finding in Kneeland’s case was not surprising, it reinforces the necessity of ongoing research into early-stage diagnosis and potential treatments.
CTE currently can only be diagnosed through the examination of brain tissue after a patient has died. Efforts are underway to develop diagnostic tools that can identify the disease in living patients.
Why do concussion protocols fail to prevent CTE?
Concussion & CTE Foundation CEO Chris Nowinski argues that the focus on concussion protocols is insufficient because CTE is driven by repeated head impacts rather than only clinical concussions. Nowinski stated that there is no reason to believe the current generation of athletes faces a lower risk of CTE than previous ones. He advocates for the implementation of specific CTE prevention protocols that aggressively target the frequency and intensity of head impacts across all levels of play.
What are the long-term risks beyond football?
The risk of long-term neurological damage extends well beyond the NFL. Athletes in various high-contact sports, including soccer, rugby, boxing, and hockey, are exposed to repetitive head trauma. Even in sports like basketball, players experience blows to the skull. According to the Concussion & CTE Foundation, players must be aware that the risks of participating in these sports include potential future development of ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and CTE.
Athletes at every level of competition should consult with medical professionals to understand the full spectrum of neurological risks associated with their specific sport to make informed decisions about their participation.
How is the family honoring Marshawn Kneeland?
Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, expressed that sharing the CTE diagnosis provides context for the struggles he faced before his death. Mancera emphasized that the goal of releasing this information is to raise awareness about the challenges potentially faced by other athletes in high-contact sports. “We continue to remember Marshawn with compassion for the person he was, rather than defining him by the final moments of his life,” Mancera stated.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is stage 1 CTE? It is the lowest level of the disease on a 1–4 scale, characterized by the presence of the progressive brain condition.
- Can CTE be treated? Currently, there is no cure. Researchers at the Boston University CTE Center are actively working to find effective treatments.
- Does wearing a better helmet prevent CTE? According to Chris Nowinski, current helmet technology and concussion protocols do not prevent CTE, as the disease is caused by repeated head impacts.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org in the U.S. and Canada, or contact your local emergency services.
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