Football is a sport full of passion and adrenaline. But behind all the excitement lies a reality that very few address. It is a game that comes with significant risks. While fans all over the world cheer for rough tackles and nail-biting goals, the physical and mental impact on players and coaches goes unnoticed.
Injuries, stress, and other long-term health challenges are an undeniable part of the sport. Let’s start by taking a look at the most visible risk, the physical impact that the game can have on the players.
Physical Injuries in the Game of Football
Football is an exhilarating sport, but it’s no secret that it takes a heavy toll on the body. Players are almost regularly at risk of injury, and some of these can leave scars that last way longer than the game.
Concussions are a well-known example. Concussions can be serious injuries with life-altering consequences. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) has become an unfortunate reality for many football players. A study from Boston University revealed that 91% of ex-NFL players who donated their brains had signs of CTE. The percentage is overwhelming.
The harm doesn’t end here. Football can be brutal on joints and ligaments too. ACL tears can be devastating. One example is the sidelined star Odell Beckham Jr. These injuries make way for arthritis and chronic pain later in life.
In fact, retired football players are more likely to develop arthritis than the average person. Even coaches aren’t safe or out of the danger zone. Football’s intense strain can also lead to significant cardiovascular risks. Studies have shown that professional football players, particularly linemen, are at a higher risk of developing heart conditions. This can be due to the combination of their large body size, high-calorie diets, and extreme physical exertion.
Hypertension is also pretty common. Almost 90% of former NFL players are diagnosed with high blood pressure, and more than 60% have structural cardiac abnormalities. The unfortunate on-field collapse of players like Chuck Hughes and Damar Hamlin is a sharp reminder of the dangers underlying the game of football.
The Hidden Battle of Mental Health Challenges
While the physical toll of football is visible, the mental strain often goes unnoticed. Players are often under immense pressure to perform. This pressure may come from their teams, family, fans, or even themselves.
Football players may also experience symptoms of depression, made worse by the effects of their injuries. The thought of pushing through the pain adds to this burden, keeping them from seeking the help they need.
Retirement can feel like another lost battle. Many players and coaches find themselves stuck with questions like, “What now?” after leaving the sport. Retired athletes are more likely to face mental health challenges than non-athletes retirees.
Coaches aren’t immune to this either. Game strategies, managing players, and meeting expectations lead to chronic stress, sometimes even burnout.
Environmental and External Health Risks
Who knew that the field itself could be a health risk? Artificial turf, though more durable than natural grass, has a reputation for being rougher on the body.
It’s been linked to a higher risk of injuries like ankle sprains and knee damage. Megan Rapinoe, the soccer star, has publicly talked about the dangers of artificial turf, and research backs her up. A study has found that there is a higher rate of non-contact lower-body injuries on turf compared to grass.
Harm can also be caused by the chemicals used to keep natural grass fields seemingly healthy and shiny. Pesticides and herbicides, like Paraquat, might make the grass green, but they pose significant risks to health.
The Paraquat lawsuit is based on the plaintiffs’ allegations that the pesticide has been linked to Parkinson’s disease. For players and groundskeepers exposed to treated fields over time, the danger is real.
TorHoerman Law mentions that Paraquat has been banned in over 70 countries because of the severe health risks it poses, but in some places, it is still being widely used. It is then up to the players, coaches and management to make mindful and conscious decisions related to the game as well as where it is played.
Lifestyle and Occupational Hazards
The lifestyle of football players and coaches isn’t exactly the epitome of balance. Long nights, constant travel, and early-morning practices are normal. These can cause sleep deprivation, nutrition gaps, stress from daily hassles and other uncertain events.
Chronic sleep deprivation isn’t just about feeling tired. It is linked to heart problems, weight gain, and even reduced brain function. To cope with this, players like Russell Wilson have invested hefty amounts in mind and body coaches to improve their overall performance.
Diet is another thing to think about. Players rely on high-calorie diets to source the energy for their intense training. But when the heavy body movement stops, that same diet can lead to sudden weight gain and other related problems. Coaches are also found struggling with the same challenges as they spend more time sedentary than exercising.
Way Ahead in the World of Football
Fortunately, the world of football isn’t ignoring these risks. Helmet designs are getting smarter, working on reducing the impact of head injuries significantly. Teams are also adopting stricter protocols to ensure players fully recover from injuries before returning to the field.
Mental health is also getting the attention it deserves. Teams are bringing in sports psychologists and creating wellness programs to support players and coaches.
On the environmental side, there is an effort to make fields safer for the key actors. From promoting natural grass to improving artificial turf technology, efforts are being made.
With constant research and the growing focus on the well-being of players and coaches, the sport is winning even more hearts.
