Posted on Tuesday, 25th August 2009 by Philip Stevens
On an otherwise quiet day in Wisconsin, a high school gym is abuzz with a few students practicing their basketball. The gym is mostly quiet save for the regular sounds that take place on a basketball court, but one man hears ringing that no one else seems to here.
1500 of 2500 former NFL players surveyed reported that they suffered at least 1 concussion during their time in the league. On top of that, another 600 players suffered 3 or more concussions in their career. Why is this important? It’s important because concussions play a huge role in severe mental defects such as depression, post-concussion syndrome and chronic traumatic brain injury. All of these defects range from minor problems that can be shaken off in a couple days to something that can end one’s life. In the case of professional athletes, it’s more often the latter than the former.
According to Kevin Guskiewicz, research director of the University of North Carolina’s Center for the Study of Retired Athletes, “Those who recalled one or two concussions were 1 1/2 times more likely to be diagnosed with depression.” A fact supported by the NFL Player’s Association, which found that 87% of retired players suffer from depression. Depression is nothing to scoff at. To set the tone, about 3.5% of people who have depression commit suicide. So lets do the math. If about 1500 people suffer from depression and 3.5% of them commit suicide that means 50 of them will. Those that don’t are medicated, have to endure severe mood swings, an inability to sleep or experience pleasure, loss of sex drive and an overall deterioration of health.
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.
The man we’re speaking of is Al Toon, a retired NFL wide receiver and a former Wisconsin Badger star. Having made three Pro Bowls and even leading the league in catches one year, Toon had a great career on the field. Unfortunately, it only lasted until he was 29 years old, all due to over 10 concussions suffered through the course of his career. A worthy sacrifice?
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