Not only was that assertion completely at odds with the uncertain state of the existing science, but it was contradicted by the study itself, in which Dr. McKee and her colleagues acknowledged that several other factors, besides prior participation in football, may influence CTE risk and disease severity, including factors other than cumulative hits to the head, and admitted that it was
even «unclear» what roles concussions and repetitive
subconcussive hits play in CTE risk, disease severity, and progression.