Football: A Dangerous Sport And Career

Football is a popular sport that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. However, it is also a dangerous sport. Players are at risk of a variety of injuries, including concussions, ligament tears, and broken bones. Some of these injuries can be life-threatening, and others can have long-term consequences, such as chronic pain and depression.

The average career length in the NFL is 3.3 years. This is relatively short compared to other professional sports leagues, such as the NBA and NHL, where the average career length is around 4.5 years.

In the U.S. most (non-athlete)  workers can expect a 20-30 year career before retiring. In the NFL only 1% of all players have retired at or after 20 years.

In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the dangers of football, particularly the risk of concussions. Concussions are brain injuries that can occur when the head is suddenly jarred or hit. Concussions can cause a variety of symptoms, including headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, concussions can also lead to more serious problems, such as memory loss, seizures, and even death.

A 2017 study published in the journal JAMA Neurology found that there were an estimated 110,000 traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) sustained by NFL players between 1960 and 2015, of which 2,000 were severe. The study also found that the risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head injuries, was four times higher in former NFL players than in the general population.

A 2019 study published in the journal Annals of Neurology found that NFL players were 2.9 times more likely to die of CTE than the general population. The study also found that the risk of developing CTE increased with the number of years spent playing in the NFL.

It is important to note that these studies were based on data from former NFL players, and it is not clear how the results would apply to current players. The NFL has implemented a number of rule changes and safety protocols in recent years to reduce the risk of head injuries, but it is still too early to say whether these measures have been effective.

In addition to the risk of TBIs and CTE, NFL players also face a number of other long-term health risks, including chronic pain, arthritis, and depression.

The dangers of football are not limited to the professional level. Amateur football players are also at risk of serious injuries and death. In fact, the rate of catastrophic injuries and deaths in high school football is higher than the rate in the NFL.

According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research (NCCSIR), there have been 102 high school football player deaths since 2000. The NCCSIR defines a catastrophic injury as one that results in permanent disability or death. The center's research has shown that the leading cause of catastrophic injuries and deaths in high school football is head injuries.

The dangers of football are real. Parents and players should carefully consider the risks before participating in the sport.

Unlikely Buddha 2023