An NFL-commissioned study has tied increased instances of memory problems to men who have played in the league, theNew York Times reported.

The study found that dementia issues occur more often in former players than among the whole population, and that former players aged 30-49 are 19 times more likely to have memory issues than the general population.

The study is the first NFL-sponsored analysis of memory issues. "This is a game-changer — the whole debate, the ball's now in the NFL's court," Dr. Julian Bailes, a former Steelers team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers, told the Times. "They always say, 'We're going to do our own studies.' And now they have."

Bailes did research that revealed similar findings four years ago.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the paper the league is still trying to analyze the report. "Memory disorders affect many people who never played football or other sports" Aiello told theTimes by e-mail. "We are trying to understand it as it relates to our retired players."

Cardinals special teamer Sean Morey was one of three players who agreed to donate his brain for research on the issue earlier this month. He told the Times that the findings should be applied to limiting the effects head injuries for players who are still learning to play the game.

"This is about more than us — it's about the high school kid in 2011 who might not die on the field because he ignored the risks of concussions," Morey told the paper. -- Sean Leahy