Newsday explores why so many former NFL players struggle while transitioning to life after football in this special report. Hear from former players including Wesley Walker, Boomer Esiason, Bruce Harper and more.
In some sense, they came out better by not playing in the NFL. What this video is about is how former NFL players struggle in their transition to the "real world." Many made outrageous sums of money playing in the NFL and were perhaps spoiled by all the adulation they received. The problem is that all this was short-term. The average player only plays for three years and trying to adjust to the "real world" after the NFL is challenging. At least the guys who didn't make it to the NFL aren't faced with these transition issues.
joe jones Even high school and college players have to adjust to life after football. Many have to get used to not having to prep for a season. They go through school splitting time between classes and football. Most don't take real life seriously until it's over. Most never take their book work seriously or prepare for careers. Only two D 1 programs promise to pay for their players educations no matter how long it takes. Every player thinks they'll make pros.When they don't most just matriculate into any employment they can find. No more "Friday night lights" and no more Sat afternoon games in front of rabid fans. Some stay active in semi-pro. You have to really love football to do that. Flag football leagues are popular among former players from all levels.
@@coachb2766 No way you can compare this to an NFL lifestyle, which comes with far more privileges, including immense, instant wealth. It's quite a difficult thing to transition from a job that pays $30k a week to one that only pays about $500 per week. That's why former NFL stars like Bob Hayes and Mercury Morris sold drugs when their playing days ended, because they wanted to maintain their lavish NFL lifestyle, the likes of which they couldn't attain after NFL "retirement" by working conventional jobs. As for all college players thinking they will make it to the pros, they have been told on countless occasions that less than 3 percent of college players make into the NFL. If they don't deal with this realistically and don't prepare for the real world, a place they will eventually wind up even if they play pro ball, well, I say they bring their plight on themselves.
joe jones In the days of Mercury Morris and "Bullet" Bob Hayes second jobs were common for active NFL layers Huge salaries didn't come around until the early to mid 80's. Maybe the "Broadway" Joe Naismith's lived lavishly but the average player Wasn't making that much. Old time star type players used their fame and $$ to catapult themselves into business. These days if a star player invests wisely they may have enough to barely or never have to work again but not in the old days. IWhen I said most think they'll go pro I was also thinking of basketball players. As far as the consequences being on the player. I feel that evey player needs someone they can trust that will tell them when it's time to stop playing. Greedy agents and family may not do it. When your concussed and in the heat of a season it is hard to make that decision to quit for your own welfare.
@@coachb2766 While it is true that players a long time ago then didn't make the exorbitant million dollar salaries they do now, I would think that Hayes and Morris, because they were superstars, did make very high salaries that were considerably higher than conventional jobs even at that time. And yes, many players then had to work off-season jobs, but they still made more than the average person. But it wasn't only about the money. Players today and even from the old days enjoyed the perks of fan adulation, an abundance of adoring friends, and of course their pick of the hottest females around. But once they no longer played, all of this came to an instant end, and that's hard to deal with. The same could be said about basketball players who aspire to make it to the NBA, and the odds of making it are just as high as the NFL. As for NFL players knowing when it's time to quit because of health reasons, it's rather hard to walk away from all of the perks I have already mentioned. Many, like all of us, live for the present, and have minimal concern of what happens 30 years down the road.
I played 1 year of middle school, I’ve never experienced so many injuries, completely different from basket ball... I’ve done 13 years in the marines , 4 tours to Iraq etc.... I still suffer from middle school football injuries, I’m so thankful I left both sports alone... I can’t imagine what college, high school and pros go through.... I’m also thankful I never suffered brain damage in the corps ( IED blast)
I hear you. I played three years in high school. The butcher's bill: torn cartilage in my knee; three concussions, the third of which ended my playing days; and a finger so badly broken that I cannot open jars unless I used my middle finger to grip the lid. Like you, I cannot fathom the amount of damage done to pro players. And, of course, thank you for your many years of service.
A lot of them speak super well though, hearing them talk about having so concussions is crazy. I guess CTE impacts everyone different because one of the main things about CTE is speech issues. There are many people who've had brain injuries and a concussion or two but are fine now without CTE. I guess it's the many hits to the head over years too...
@@TakeshixStudios It's pretty safe to say that every single one of them have CTE (every former NFL player that has been studied after death has had CTE). It's not just about "speaking well". CTE causes behavioral problems, mood issues, loss of short term memory ability and many times full blown dementia.
More like the rabid pack of wolves who are bitting the majority of players an continuing to bite them while the owners laughing all the way to the bank while denying there responsible for any facet of the cancer which will consume and kill everything that FOOTBALL is, THE PLAYERS AND FANS WI EVENTUALLY TAKE THEIR TALENTS AND HARD EARNED DOLLARS TO ONE OF MANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL SPORTS OR ALTERNATIVE LEAGUE! WE CAN ONLY HOPE? #MYBROKEEPER
And people came for LeBron a couple of years ago when he said he would not allow his children to play football. I loved his response when someone said that he played football in high school. He said that HE needed a way out of poverty, so he was doing anything to give himself the chance, but his kids don't need a way out of poverty.
I am so thankful for my fathers guidance. He played baseball and football and when I was a kid he encouraged golf and tennis. I played golf in junior high, high school, college and was a PGA golf professional for 18 years and still play at a high level in my 60’s. Thanks Dad!!!
@Roger B ..It's their decision to be gladiators! Their own decision to take that route! I feel for their pain, NOT THEIR LIVES! ! Ask them all. .THEY WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING!
Actually the NFL is doing a lot for the ex-players even changing the on the field rules to lessen contact. Not to mention advanced technology in helmet design.
you're disposable at your job & so are these furloughed federal workers. At least NFL players get $900K average salary. QB Matt Stafford gets beat up every Sunday but his weekly game check is $1.75million. Poor baby.
It’s crazy I watched a documentary that showed Al Davis as one of the only owners to really take care of his former players whether they were stars or not!! Ray Guy, Otto Graham , George Atkinson , Otto Graham all said Al would always help them with anything.
How did you type the name "Otto Graham" twice in the same sentence, seperated only by another name and not manage to see/edit that. Might you, by chance, be a retired NFL player?
@@Chopan8809 Probably because it's more often, and there's no public to shock if you continue to push a player beyond their physical or mental limits.
There’s no old man weekend warrior days for old football players. So true. At the gym in August you see old nba players, some can still dunk. As for the football players, guys who were just a blur on the field are so slow and regular looking. But everyone knows their name
Dameon Williams it’s part of the dark side of Americanism. We are all tools & the system works on planned obsolescence. We don’t fix & repair. We throw away & replace
Hey if u get a chance to speak with Wesley Walker again, please tell him to research ALS disease, he has the early signs/symptoms of ALS, which my mother died from, & her hands looked exactly like Walker's..the muscles deteriorate with als, starting with the hands..to where u cant dress yourself or open a bottle, just like Wesley described.
I couldn't imagine playing 5+ years in the NFL. I played only 4 years in Jr high n high school. Broke my left ankle, had two concussion and dislocated my right thumb. I'm 52 now. Shit hurts damnit!!! LoL 😂. I did love playing.
Both my boys playing eldest 2nd yr playing college i didnt want them to play full stop..greedy ex and family see otherwise yeah....payday..as a dad worried about my boys health...health before wealth any day
CTE is a big issue here. Huge issue. Memory loss and things like that is down to CTE most of the times. It's really scary how much these guys weren't informed.
Anyone that doesn’t have CTE have no idea how bad this disease is. I rode bucking bulls professionally and as a intercollegiate college Bullrider. The anxiety just to leave my house is overwhelming. Suicide thoughts every day. No doctors will see me because I don’t have insurance can’t get disability because CTE is so new. I’m at a loss now. I don’t know what to do anymore.
And keep in mind that most of these men played before these mega-million-dollar contracts and with significantly less-sturdy protective equipment than players have today.
in high school, I had 3 concussions 2 shoulder surgeries, 7 broken fingers, a broken foot. In my freshman year of college I've had 1 concussion, tore my groin, tore my tendons in my wrist. Now in my sophomore year I lucky haven't gotten any injuries. I can only imagine what these guys are going through
That one guy was spot on when he said that it’s a “emotional” part of it knowing guys like mark mcguire and Barry bonds can go to a batting cage and can still swing the bat but knowing you can never play football again, I felt that. I’m a multi sport athlete I played both football and baseball so I know where he’s coming from emotionally that’s why I decided to play football at the next level in college instead of baseball because I know I can always go back to playing baseball won’t ever get a chance to play football at the highest level competitively like other sports like baseball or basketball.
I read a report that after every play (not game, play) at least one person experiences an injury that under normal circumstances would require medical attention.
Honestly think most players understood some of the danger associated w/ playing in the nfl but didnt understand the severity of permanent brain damage until now.. Once your hard drive is busted, life has to be a nightmare
Honestly. This is saddening to see as someone who played and loved the sport. Just looking at how some of these guys talk (Reid ect.) they will forever be affected. & this isn’t even scratching the addiction problem the nfl starts/constitutes. I love the game. I never regret playing. But I can think of times I waved off a concussion or tackled with the crown of my head and hurt my back. My son will never play the sport in his life.
Very true. Not just damaged athletes or military veterans... but even average Americans are disposable. It's hard not to worry about the thought that anyone can have a traumatic brain injury during a car accident, etc. in which that person is probably not gonna receive adequate financial support. That's life as an American I suppose.
every single medical problem is preventable with nutrition. You name it I'll tell you how to cure it. Ramming your head into a wall 1,000 times. Thats not curable.
@@Fulcanelli9999 "every single medical problem is preventable with nutrition. You name it I'll tell you how to cure it." Seems weird to say that 1 sentence before giving an example of a medical problem that is neither PREVENTABLE nor CURABLE by you, with nutrition...whatever that vague statement even means.
I’ve had 5 concussions and none from football and I test positive for brain damage. Can’t imagine what football players at any level are going through. Rosters need to be larger. These guys were super men.
My Dad met Bruce Harper somehow when he was with the Jets. He told Bruce I was a Jets fan and Bruce told him he'd call me to say hi. That was a big thrill for me. Maybe around 81 or 82 if I'm not mistaken. It's sad to see the aftermath of such a brutal game. These guys were my superheroes but now I knkw they were just men. Respect
Iam very glad that baseball and finally football players are recognized for their struggles. As a former Olympian form the time when we had to go out and find someone to sponsor us; the boat has left the dock. Maybe someone will look alittle deeper into athletic personel and see us too
Imagine all the people who never even played in the NFL, walking around with CTE and knowing something isn’t right but having no clue as to what the issue is from.
Life’s one big chance and football is no different. I feel bad but at the same time these guys loved that and got to experience that excitement in their lives. If you don’t think you’ll get hurt playing football then I don’t know what to tell you
I can relate 100% to the fella at the 7:30mark with the backwards blue hat... Nerve injury in my neck has atrophied my right forearm and hand muscles. For about a year I couldnt open a bottle of cap, turn the key to start a car, or turn the key to open the door home... And I've been training 24+ years at the time & a personal trainer, training others professionally for 18+ yrs. 585 deadlifts and 500+lbs squat and I couldn't start my car or open a Mt. Dew.
i bumped both my elbows in the same year, six months apart. Pain was excruciating at times, couldnt even shake hands. Buttoning my pants was difficult. What the hell are the odds? Two simple little injuries that just happened to hit the end of the Tendon.
Go thru life dealing with stuff that just won't go away....I hear that....I'm a combat vet, and it's been years since my last tour of duty and discharge, but to this day I can't seem to get the smell of burning human flesh and hair out of my nose....or the wet stain that human fat leaves behind after it burns, the sight of those stains in that sandy, fine, dusty dirt is burned into my memory banks....and that shit sucks...
Sad to hear hear brother. Some guy posted that some of this is young men getting older and that shit hurt me even tho I have not played football or been in combat.
Baseball sounds real good right now. You can jump around to different teams for 10 years if you play good defense or hit homeruns. Although football has changed so many rules, that you may be able last longer than before.
So many conflicting thoughts regarding this video. While I never played in the NFL, I played D1 football and coached college football for 15 years, so I have many personal experiences from within the game. It is true that the game is incredibly violent. It is true that playing the game takes a permanent toll on a player's body, and many times, on a player's emotional well being. It is also true that for most people that have played organized football we did not truly know specifically the risks in playing the game, BUT, I never met a player that was not aware that they could be hurt, injured, or permanently disabled in playing. I don't believe that the NFL or anyone else is responsible for a player's life after football because of that fact. Wesley Walker's comments are spot on. The thing is NO ONE knows what the future will bring them, and hindsight is always 20/20 vision. Nowadays, with both NFL and NCAA football earning so much money, I think it would be a great thing for those organizations to commit to lifetime medical care of former players, and also programs that assist players in transitioning into their lives after football...but I do NOT think it is "owed" to the players. The possible consequences that are present in choosing to play football are not hidden from a player except by a player to themself. Every player I ever knew, at the time they were a player, would have chosen to give up 10 years of their life if they could have a 10 year career in the NFL. The game of football and what it promises potentially to a player is THAT desirable.
Lifetime medical care for every player is ridiculous to expect from the NFL. Why is it the NFL's responsibility to assist these grown men to transition into "life after football"? These grown men should live properly during their playing days so the transition isn't as jarring and they should be responsible enough financially to have enough money for 2-3 generations of their family.
oh shit i just realized that was jean fugett. iplayed football back in 8th grade, 2000, with his son reggie. his daughter augie is married to adam jones from the orioles. his brother who died in the early 90s was one of the first black billionaire owners of an all black company..beatrice foods. legends here in baltimore
763 (10.9%) of 7000 responded to the survey. We don't know what the questions were, but if the questions were predominantly about injuries and post career health problems would not a greater percentage of those with issues respond to the survey? And that 42% number is out of the 10% that responded. So we can say that at least 4.6% of 7000 surveyed reported their injuries are their biggest daily challenge. Just trying to be real. I sympathize with those having issues.
I love NFL but even watching it I often grimace at the hits. You hit your hand on a door hard and hurts bad, imagine taking those hits to the head over and over. But i guess for these guys they take the glory now and worry later. Which i totally get because life is unpredictable even if you take ever precaution..
I’ve been watching my bobsled teammates including myself have these same struggles. Too many suicides and nuero issues. Finding real help seems impossible
How about show this to the freshman football parents and boys instead of Rudy! Make it mandatory for all the high school players parents to watch Concussion. Any parent in their right mind would not allow their children to play football after all of the knowledge that has been brought to our attention!
"still have a lot of work to do for former players. the cost of trying to provide health care for every player that has played in the league. we will continue to make more efforts"-ALL LIES FROM GOODELL. he could care less about those players and is doing next to nothing for these ex players.
How did it go from injuries to players making uniformed decisions? If you waste your money away...so-be-it. If you have injuries related to playing, that's an entirely different situation.
@@007lanski5 If you're a cop and get shot, injured etc, you are covered by short and long term disability. NFL players unless the injury is catastrophic, have no coverage once they leave the league. I imagine, Sheriff deputies etc ask for money to cover cost above and beyond what disability covers.
Hell I played from 8 years old to 18 years old. 5 shoulder surgeries 3 back surgeries all my fingers broken. And wish I could have played another 10 years.
14:40 that analogy doesn't get enough credit. When it's over for footballers, it's over, and for those dealing with the mental effects of football injuries it can't help when you add on the depression of never, ever being able to play your favorite sport again. No wonder these guys feel lost when they leave.
ALL NFL players should have a mandatory financial planners supplied by the NFL. The players only have a choice of which one to pick. But you have to have one!!
Usually, the game takes what it needs from you, then youre cast aside...more players should get what they need from the game and get out before 29 yrs of age
