Former NFL gamers now coming into retirement age usually tend to be residing with persistent ache or a incapacity, are extra depressed and anxious, and are way more prone to report having some kind of cognitive decline than the typical American man, a brand new survey has discovered.
But, despite all that, the overwhelming majority say they'd do it once more, and that taking part in soccer had a constructive impact on their lives.
The findings are the results of a survey performed by ESPN and impartial health-policy analysis, polling and information group KFF that sought to evaluate the life outcomes of NFL gamers who're across the typical retirement age. The survey tried to contact all 1,532 gamers who performed in an NFL sport in the course of the 1988 season; 546 males participated, with a mean age of 62, representing about one-third of the gamers within the league that yr.
The 45-question survey, the biggest impartial examine of its variety, requested a variety of questions in regards to the gamers' day-to-day lives within the years after they retired from the NFL. Among the many survey's key findings:
Nearly all of the ex-players reported having at the very least some ache the previous three months, with half saying they'd ache day by day and three-quarters saying ache restricted their work and private exercise. Nearly half stated they'd “severe problem” concentrating, remembering or making choices at instances. By a number of measures, former gamers have been considerably extra probably than males their age to report experiencing ache and psychological well being points. (Comparisons to males of an analogous age are based mostly on information from giant federal well being surveys or different KFF surveys.)
Fifteen % of gamers stated a health care provider had identified them with dementia. One examine based mostly on the Nationwide Well being Interview Survey discovered that just below 4% of males ages 65 and older have been identified with dementia.
About half of gamers stated they felt depressed up to now 12 months, in contrast with 1 / 4 of males aged 55 to 75.
Six in 10 gamers reported residing with some kind of incapacity — together with problem strolling or climbing stairs, dressing or bathing — thrice the speed of males their age.
Black gamers fared worse than white gamers throughout the board, from bodily and psychological illnesses to earnings and interactions with legislation enforcement.
Ex-players proceed to embrace the sport in a wide range of methods however have been divided of their attitudes about youth deal with soccer. About one-third stated the dangers of deal with soccer earlier than highschool outweigh the advantages, and 1 in 4 stated they'd assist a ban on deal with soccer for kids under the highschool degree.
Nonetheless, 9 out of 10 ex-players stated they'd make the identical resolution to play skilled soccer. Even amongst gamers who stated the NFL had a detrimental impact on each their bodily well being and psychological well-being, 78% stated they'd resolve to play once more.
In a press release responding to the survey, an NFL spokesperson famous the league's efforts to fund well being and wellness packages by means of its collective bargaining settlement with the NFL Gamers Affiliation.
“Within the final CBA alone, the events invested over $2 billion to additional improve participant pension and well being advantages and has resulted in considerably elevated entry to long-term care, counseling, and profession transition packages,” the assertion stated.
The spokesperson additionally cited efforts to assist former gamers by means of the NFL Legends Group and steps to make the sport safer, “together with by implementing methods to cut back concussions and take away head impacts from the sport.”
The league final season reported 182 concussions, a 17% drop from the earlier season and the fewest because it started monitoring the information in 2015.
“Whereas we're inspired by this progress, we all know there is no such thing as a end line in the case of the well being and security of gamers and are dedicated to search out methods to proceed to enhance,” the assertion stated.
A spokesperson for the NFLPA pointed to packages together with the Professional Athletes Foundation and the affiliation's Former Participant Providers division that present assist to ex-players. “We acknowledge the toll that the sport of soccer has taken on the our bodies and minds of our former participant inhabitants. Their post-career ache and challenges are effectively documented, and our union is dedicated to contributing helpful assets and assist,” the spokesperson stated in a press release.
Earlier research of NFL gamers, many funded by the league or the NFLPA, have largely targeted on head trauma and bodily illnesses sustained from the sport. ESPN and KFF's survey polled gamers about their bodily well-being — together with the variety of surgical procedures they've had, their capability to perform sure duties, and the ache they really feel — but additionally their psychological acuity, with questions on emotions and forgetfulness. Additionally they have been requested about their post-NFL careers, marriages, kids, earnings, run-ins with police and their opinions of and engagement with the NFL.
Gamers answered open-ended questions with the reassurance their feedback would stay nameless. Of their responses, some grappled with the professionals and cons of their taking part in careers.
For instance, when requested why they'd or would not play skilled soccer once more, greater than 30 responses included phrases like “childhood dream” and “dream come true.” One participant famous the “nice competitors and camaraderie” of soccer and stated that, regardless that he had been identified with early Alzheimer's, “I'd do it once more.”
Different athletes pointed to the lifelong alternatives gained by an NFL profession — together with cash, fame and social confidence — as a purpose for enduring the steep toll.
“Taking part in soccer … I encountered individuals from completely different ethnicities, non secular beliefs, achievements and household models that gave me nice views on residing,” one participant stated.
Those that stated they would not select to play once more typically expressed anger and remorse. One participant listed a litany of surgical procedures: two hip replacements, 5 shoulder replacements and one knee alternative. “I can not play catch with my grandson. I can not play the guitar or piano anymore. I can not go mountaineering … I can not do a f—ing factor bodily,” he stated.
Mentioned one other participant: “Soccer has been a blessing to me, but it surely has additionally been a curse in the long term. Typically I want that I by no means performed this pricey sport that I beloved. … The game of soccer gave me a lot. But it surely took much more from me, in methods you possibly can't clarify until you performed your self.”
Some cited psychological well being points: “I blew up two nice relationships and have had points with my youngsters as my mood and lack of reminiscence hamper my capability to have a coherent dialog. My high quality of life sucks, simply sitting right here ready to die.”
One other participant stated he has had surgical procedure on each hips, each knees and “an unknown variety of concussions.”
“I consider that my spouse is sort of at her wits' finish with me as a result of I'm not the identical person who she met over 30 years in the past,” he stated. “Do not get me fallacious, my life just isn't as unhealthy because it could possibly be, and for that I am grateful.”
The overwhelming opinion that the ache and sacrifice have been well worth the alternative held true for gamers no matter race. However in lots of circumstances, Black gamers have been extra probably than white gamers to report psychological well being points and cognitive decline, bodily ache that limits their work or life actions, and monetary difficulties. For instance, 37% of Black former gamers reported that they have been unable to work due to a football-related incapacity, in contrast with 19% of white gamers.
Whereas earlier research have proven disparities between Black and white individuals throughout a variety of life and medical outcomes extra usually, Black gamers additionally reported extra issues — and a higher severity of issues — than different Black males their age throughout a number of bodily and psychological well being metrics.
The survey additionally sought to gauge what gamers considered youth soccer, together with their choices to let their very own kids play. About 6 in 10 gamers inspired their kids to play soccer, together with almost half who stated the game had a detrimental affect on their bodily and psychological well being.
The survey additionally tried to account for at the very least 128 gamers from the 1988 season who've died or who could not take the survey due to a bodily or psychological ailment. Surveyors contacted family or different representatives to reply questions as a proxy for these athletes. Of the 19 proxies who agreed to take the survey (18 of whom represented a participant who has died), 11 stated soccer had a constructive affect on their beloved one's life and 7 stated it had a detrimental affect. One stated there was no affect.
ESPN selected to survey gamers from the 1988 season after the widow of former New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Daren Gilbert contacted the community and expressed concern about her husband's struggles earlier than his loss of life and the state of a lot of his teammates.
Her request prompted ESPN to discover the life outcomes of NFL gamers from the Nineteen Eighties — an period that noticed the prevalence of cocaine, two gamers' strikes, rule adjustments, a greater than doubling of the typical wage and the banning of steroids.
Among the many survey respondents, 23% of white gamers and 5% of Black gamers stated they'd used anabolic steroids. About 4 in 10 gamers stated they've been identified with low testosterone, erectile dysfunction or fertility points. Gamers who reported these points have been extra prone to say they've used anabolic steroids, in comparison with gamers who have not been identified with these points. Analysis has proven that steroid use can have an effect on fertility.
Most gamers — 73% — stated they're very or considerably glad with their private monetary scenario. About 3 in 10 gamers reported a 2023 household earnings of lower than $90,000. (The median household earnings in the USA is about $80,000.) About 4 in 10 fell between $90,000 and $200,000, and the ultimate 3 in 10 of respondents reported earnings of $200,000 or extra.
Nonetheless, 1 in 5 reported delaying well being care at the very least as soon as up to now yr due to the price, and 4 in 10 reported being uninsured in some unspecified time in the future since they stopped taking part in skilled soccer.
One in 10 stated they'd fallen behind on their hire or mortgage up to now 12 months. Since they retired from skilled soccer, 16% stated they'd misplaced their house to eviction or foreclosures, and 17% stated they'd declared private chapter. About 1 in 4 stated they at the moment have a debt that is overdue or that they are unable to pay.
Whereas that could be laborious to consider contemplating the wealth and fame typically related to NFL gamers, contemplate this: In 1988, the typical NFL wage was about $250,000 — the equal of almost $700,000 in 2025. The present NFL rookie minimal is $840,000.
For extra data, go to KFF's website.
