I’m sure more than a few of us have wondered where the NFL players live during the season. I know I certainly have! It’s one of those things that nobody really talks about because people don’t really think about it, but it’s actually a really interesting topic.
When it comes to NFL players, there is no single answer to where they live during the season. It largely depends on their specific team and the respective market they’re in. Some teams may be fortunate enough to have big enough facilities that player can literally live in the facility during their season; however for teams without such luxurious settings, players often need to find their own housing.
Typically, most NFL players, both rookies and veterans alike, rent out condos or apartments and houses in the area where their corresponding teams are located. The ultimate goal is for the players to be close to the team’s practice schedule so they can easily travel to and from practice without wasting any time. This is especially crucial for rookies who may be new to the area or market.
Sometimes renting close by may not always be the safest or most practical solution for some NFL players. Since the off-season for most teams is short, the player needs to look for disturbance free accommodation that is also near to the team’s home stadium or practice facility. After a busy day at practice, the last thing a player wants is to drive a long way back home. Hence it makes sense for the player to choose a place close enough to practice so that he can rest up properly with plenty of time to spare.
Players also many times take into account the local restaurants placed around their housing to ensure they carry with them nutritional food so that they can maintain a healthy lifestyle. Professional football players need to remain in good physical condition for the entirety of the season. Furthermore, as a fan, if you ever stumble across one of your favorite players, you’ll know exactly why they’re there; they live local!
Most players try to steer away from living too close to the city centre, as this can hamper their practice regimen due to traffic jams, making it difficult for them to reach the team’s practice facility on time. To help keep a healthy work-rest balance, they instead look for appropriate housing away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city area.
Players generally look for more spacious and peaceful abodes away from the crowds in order to be able to provide the best rest after a long day of practice. A comfortable and pleasant living environment can bring the desired peace and quiet to an athlete, allowing them to relax in the best possible manner.
Sometimes, players can even find living facilities that are close to the practice premises. This allows the players to commute efficiently and it also serves as a brilliant lifestyle choice, as they no longer need to balance out their practice and travel time.
I’m sure some of you might even ponder how the team and players co-ordinate to sort out their housing arrangements. Well, NFL teams hire individuals who are especially hired to focus on providing appropriate living quarters for their respective team’s players. What’s more, these individuals sometimes will even double as players’ managers, providing advice on various aspects of their life.
More often, players might prefer living far from their native homes due to various reasons such as avoiding the commotion of family on daily basis, this is perhaps why some teams give players an option to come up with their own housing arrangements. But ultimately, it’s up to the team to ensure the players are housed safely and comfortably, so that they practice and perform their best on the pitch.
It’s important to understand that teams with players located in different locations will also have their own travel regulations. For instance, if a team is playing away and the players can’t reach the team in time, the team has to make sure appropriate arrangements are made to ensure the players arrive unhindered.
Now, if the team’s training facility or stadium is far from a city, they’ll likely negotiate special flight arrangements between the team and the airline or airport. This helps with minimal disruption while travelling, thus allowing the players to arrive in the right condition and frame of mind for their game.
When it comes to proper rest, it’s important for the team to provide the players with enough rest days between their away games. Other times they could even provide accommodation in hotels. Teams also look to provide special rooms and recreational facilities for the players to make their stay more convenient and comfortable.
During the peak of their season, teams can also provide additional services such as on-site medical staff and nutritionists to ensure the players are in top condition. This helps the players with their commitments to the team, as they don’t have to worry about getting injured when away from home.
I always have so much respect for NFL players, because they’ll often have to live away from their native homes during the season and still manage to stay focused and deliver their best performance. It’s a testament to their hard work, dedication and determination that they can cater to the needs of their team and still provide enjoyable entertainment for us, the viewers.