Posted on Sunday, 30th August 2009 by Roger Smythna
All is well in sunny Wisconsin as a man sits inside a high school gymnasium to see his son play some basketball. While all is quiet inside the gym, this man is hearing some different things. Ringing in his ears, and a buzzing in his head.
We’re talking about the father of a student on the court, but also a former pro football player. The ringing stems from one of the many concussions he suffered as a pro football player. He’s not alone here. When 2,500 retired NFL football players were polled, over 1,500 of them had suffered at least one concussion as a pro football player. The long-term effects of these are undoubtedly detrimental.
Concussions very often lead to depression during the later years in life. If this next stat doesn’t tell you enough, we’d be very surprised. It’s reported that 87% of ex NFL players end up suffering from depression at some point in their lives. This number is extremely high and must be somewhat related to concussions, which are known to alter mood, sleep patterns, sex drive, and more.
It’s not just mental either. Strength Planet says, “according to the NFL Players Association, the average life expectancy of an NFL player is 58 years of age.” The life expectancy of the average American is 76 years old. 15-20% of former NFL players suffer arthritis so bad that it hampers their ability to perform even the simplest tasks. And it’s not just NFL players. 20% of professional boxers suffer from the aforementioned chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is amongst the world’s leaders in causing death and disability.
Looking at these figures, people must realize the sacrifices pro football players (and other athletes who participate in contact sports) make at the expense of their bodies. People usually focus on the money, but these short-lived careers (the average NFL player only lasts about 6 years in the league) give athletes limited windows with which to build up a lifetime’s worth of savings.
The man returns to the gym refreshed and with a pair of sun glasses in time to catch a good chunk of the second half. He watches the rest of the game standing alone, leaned against the side of the bleachers. After the game ends, the man accepts the attention his past profession brings him. Almost every parent and kid from the visiting team stops by where he is standing and meets him before leaving the gym. He is visibly uncomfortable again, but he welcomes everyone with a warm smile and contributes to the dialogue what he can.
This is Al Toon, former University of Wisconsin wide receiver and former New York Jet. Having had a few tremendous seasons during the 1990s, Toon’s career was cut short due to over 10 concussions that he suffered as a pro. The wide receiver was forced into retirement at the young age of 29. Unfortunately, Toon is not alone here. He is one of many modern day gladiators.
Tags: athletes, concussions, depression, fitness, football, Football Fitness, health, nfl, recreation, sports
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