For the 0.2 per cent of players that are fortunate enough to get drafted to the NFL it comes as no surprise that their career only lasts an average of 3.3 years.
Players are constantly moving from team to team, either chasing that big contract or being terminated and informed that they are no longer required.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams uses this as motivation after he was terminated by the Carolina Panthers in 2015. When Williams leaves his house he walks past his ‘Notice of Termination’ letter every day.
There was no thank you, just a cross next to the reason for being terminated. “In the judgment of the Club, your skill or performance has been unsatisfactory as compared with that of other players competing for positions on the Club’s roster”.
The NFL can be brutal. It’s no wonder we’re seeing more players holding out on their contracts and refusing to sign the franchise tag to pursue that lucrative deal. They have an undetermined amount of time to make as much money as they can to ensure they give both themselves and their family the best chance at life after football.
NFL players are becoming a lot more self-aware and it is becoming increasingly trendy for players to retire at a young age. There have been twelve players retire under the age of thirty this offseason.
However, there are other reasons why players are retiring at such a young age. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) was put on the world stage by the film Concussion, and it is playing a major role in players retiring earlier than expected. Footballers are starting to figure out that once they have enough money in the bank they are moving on, with their health and mind hopefully still intact.
Buffalo Bills linebacker A.J. Tarpley recently retired at the ripe old age of 23. A history of concussions at both college and NFL levels he decided that there was more to life then the big contracts the NFL could offer.
Tarpley recently told the Monday Morning Quarterback, “I will never know if I would have received life-impairing damage to my brain somewhere down the line. He continued, “no educated person seems to be denying the relationship between brain injuries and football, yet there are no definitive measures. We still can’t answer the question of how much is too much. I was on the fence. I had to decide if I wanted to keep walking that line made thinner and thinner by my concussions.”
The awareness of CTE will impact more NFL players retiring earlier and if this offseason was anything to go by, we could see the average length of an NFL career drop lower than 3.3 years. Future Hall of Famer, Peyton Manning managed to play for eighteen NFL seasons. We may never see the modern day player reach these heights again.
The NFL is such a precious commodity that brings so much joy to households all over the world. Let’s hope that the phrase ‘Don’t Come Monday’ doesn’t become a term used by players retiring from such an early age.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
It's quite scary stuff particularly as someone who grew up playing collision sports. I never suffered a concussion but at the culminative pumps and bruises... It's a real issue facing all collision sports. I recently watched a TEDx talk about Boston Labs work on the issue and there attempts to lessen the impact. Their theory is creating a better buffer will stabilise the brain and eliminate most of the impact. Basically using an inflatable helmet. But what was most alarming from an AF fans perspective was learning that their helmets are designed or regulated for concussion prevention but for skull fraction (bike helmets as well).
Daniel Juchima
Roar Rookie
Hi Working Class Rugger, Thanks for reading my article. I wasn't aware that the lesser collisions are just as dangerous as the major concussion collisions. There needs to be more warnings and research available for all young people wanting to pursue an NFL career. The risks are very real.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
The NFL may not have seen the worst of the issues around CTE yet. Recent research has found that the culminative effects of what appear to be lesser collision are having just as devastating impact on the brain. It's something that could fundamentally alter the general nature of the contest. Particularly for linemen who arethe most susceptible to these effects. Quite alarming from someone who is a American Football fan.
mushi
Roar Guru
Is it that nice? They deliberately obfuscated the truth on the research in a manner not dissimilar to asbestos and cigarettes and yet the same guy is there doing the "nice" thing. Guys like Goodell have basically led young men to their death but he still is the highest paid person in the game. Goodell's only positive contribution to mankind will be his obituary
mushi
Roar Guru
Problem is a rookie scale (main issue with the draft from a player payment perscpective) benefits the owners and the current players so it will never change.
Daniel Juchima
Roar Rookie
Hi Brains Trust, Thanks for taking the time to read my article, i appreciate how busy you are. I couldn't agree with you more, the Linebackers, Defensive Tackles, Guards, Safeties etc are the ones who always take the big hits. I think you will see a trend of young players making their money, hopefully winning a Super Bowl and their retiring young. Your point regarding Free Agency is valid and would allow players to earn as much money as they can and as quickly as possible to prevent long term brain damage. It is certainly interesting times in the NFL and nice to see that they are now taking these issues seriously and introducing correct procedures to minimize the effects of CTE etc.
BrainsTrust
Guest
This is why they really need to get rid of the draft in the NFL and introduce free agency. NFL is really one big meat grinder, the QB gets less hits, most enjoyment and involvement out of playing, biggest paycheck,the longest career. Being a quarterback is not as safe as the kicker positions but then they get small paychecks and have a few kicks per game. The ones that get all the hits and the ultimate irony is the more succesfull one is and the longer their career is staving off other injuries then they have to deal with they are the prime candidates for brain damage. Bring in free agency and then players can measure their risk, and more can retire early.