I just heard something that made me think about the NFL. Did you know that some players have died while playing in a NFL game? It’s awful and upsetting, but unfortunately true.
Since 1921, there have been at least 54 NFL players who have died either directly related to, or during, a game. That’s an awful and grueling statistic that I never knew before, but it’s sad that it’s necessary to recognize.
Most incredible of all, most of these deaths involved fatal injuries or cardiac issues while in the moment of playing. This includes a player who died from blunt trauma during a punt return. This isn’t just some crazy statistic made up by a person looking for something to write about, it’s something that has actually happened countless times over the years. What an intense statistic to grapple with.
It’s also been reported that many of these players don’t receive any kind of compensation or benefits – no matter the circumstances of the death – from the NFL. This adds additional layers of complexity to the painful reality of such an occurrence. It’s absolutely tragic.
Each and every player that’s passed while playing football should be remembered and respected for their achievements on the field, not the circumstances that ended their lives. It’s unfortunate that this topic brings up so much pain, but it’s important to recognize the fact that these players were not only humans, but fathers, sons, husbands, and friends too.
Most of the deaths that have occurred during NFL games have been on the field, meaning that those players were felt a hard tackle or hit. These individuals, accidents or not, have all left a permanent mark in our hearts; a place of honor through remembrance of the game and those whose work, efforts, and resolve have given us so much joy.
It is essential to protect our NFL players as much as possible, and the league has already shown its commitment to the health and safety of its players, both past and present. This includes better training, awareness of medical issues such as concussions, and better overall technology that will help protect them in the future.
In conclusion, it’s time that we all take a moment to reflect on the brave actions of these players and the tragedy of their passing. When we are watching our favorite teams on Sunday, we should thank those players for their efforts, their talents and the joy they have given us. The NFL and its players can all be proud of the standards they have set and continue to maintain for the betterment of the game.