Initial Findings from the 2001 Health Survey of

Retired NFL Players

**the following information is property of the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes and may not but duplicated or used without permission**

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Total Number of Surveys Sent = 3,683

Total Number of Surveys Returned = 2,552 (69%)

Average Age of Respondent = 53.9 years old

Race:  26.9% African American    70.9% Caucasian     2.2% Other

 

Average # of years played professional football = 6.6

 

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Neurology

 

- 62.5% of retired NFL players reported sustaining at least one concussion during their professional playing years

 

- The average # of concussions sustained by retirees during their professional playing years was 2.04

 

- 24% of retired NFL players reported sustaining three or more concussions during their professional playing years.

 

- Retired NFL players who sustained three or more concussions during their professional playing years had a nearly three-fold risk of being diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (one precursor to Alzheimer's disease).

 

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Orthopaedics

 

 - 38% of retired NFL players reported that they currently suffer from osteo/ degenerative arthritis.

 

 - Compared to average American males, the prevelance of osteo/ degenerative arthritis in retired NFL players is significantley higher in each of the following age categories: 25-34 yo, 35-44 yo and 45-54 yo

 

 - 16% of retirees with osteo/ degenerative arthritis reported that their condition 'often' limits their activities.

 

 - 20% of retired NFL players reported sustaining at least one ACL injury during their professional playing years.

 

 - The number of ACL and MCL ruptures sustained by retirees has increased exponentially every decade since 1940.

 

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Cardiology

 

- The Body Mass Index (BMI) of retired NFL players in both their playing and retired years has incrementally increased each decade since 1940.

 

- The average BMI of retirees who played during the 1940's was 28.15 compared to 31.5 for retirees who played during the 1990's. A BMI of 27 or higher is considered overweight for males.

 

-  Offensive linemen are more likely to report suffering from cardiovascular disease and/or hypertension than retirees who played any other position.

 

- 60% of retired NFL players reported that they engage in aerobic exercise on average four days a week for 56 minutes per workout.

 

- Those retirees who exercise reported lower body weights, had a lower BMI, and a lower prevalence of hypertension.