Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults are dealing with anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition, and NFL players are no exception. They face an increased risk for depression, confusion, aggression, and other mental health challenges due to the nature of their
profession.
Head Injuries and Mental Health
Repeated head injuries in football can cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease. A recent study conducted by Mass General Brigham investigators from McLean Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Network found that former NFL players who reported experiencing concussion symptoms during their careers performed worse on cognitive tests than non-players. This highlights the importance of tracking concussion symptoms as opposed to diagnosed concussions in research.
Pro Football’s Ultra-Masculine Culture
Pro football’s ultra-masculine culture is a breeding ground for negative attitudes about mental health problems. However, the NFL has launched a league-wide initiative called “Total Wellness” to combat the stigma surrounding mental health. More and more NFL players have recently gone public about their own mental health struggles, sharing their experiences to dispel lingering taboos and inspire others to seek treatment.
Legacy Awards and Mental Health Awareness
While this article is primarily focused on the psychology of NFL players, it is worth mentioning that the Texas A&M athletics department recently presented the 2023 Legacy Awards, which recognize student-athletes accomplishments in various academic, service, leadership, and athletic endeavors. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support at all levels of sports.
Impact of a Professional Football Career on Cognitive Aging
The impact of a professional football career can accelerate cognitive aging. The aforementioned study found that cognitive performance was generally worse for former players than non-players, with older retired players more likely to perform worse than controls on cognitive tasks. Poor cognitive performance was not associated with diagnosed concussions, years of professional play, or age of first football exposure, but rather with the recollected concussion symptoms experienced by the players.
