Well, it’s no secret that playing in the NFL is a rough and dangerous job. The amount of injuries happening can be quite alarming, so it’s understandable why many people have the opinion that playing in the NFL increases the risk of getting hurt. From personal experience of watching my favorite team every Sunday, I’ve certainly seen some hard hits, and with that typically comes injuries.
The most common type of injury in the NFL are musculoskeletal traumas due to the physical collisions. These injuries tend to be more severe compared to those found in other sports, mainly due to the size, speed and power of the players. Muscle strains, sprains, and ligament tears are very common and can result in lengthy recoveries.
The top 5 most common identified injuries reported in the NFL are ACL tears, shoulder dislocations, concussions/head injuries, back injuries and lacerations. ACL tears tend to be the most severe as these could take up to a year to recover from and can often leave an athlete unable to perform at their previously high levels. Additionally, the risk of head injury in football is well documented, resulting in some players retiring early due to long term neurological effects.
In terms of prevention, the NFL has made a concerted effort to reduce the amount of contact in practice and to introduce rule changes that further protect players from head and neck injuries. However, there is only so much that can be done to reduce the risk of getting injured whilst playing in a full-contact sport. Even with the extra safety measures, players can still be injured from contact, or even non-contact, with another player. Therefore, it often comes down to luck when it comes to whether or not a player gets hurt.
Although there is a lot of talk about the detrimental effects of injuries, the NFL also offers some incredible treatment for those who are affected by them. From leading medical staff to state of the art rehabilitation centers, athletes are getting the best possible care available. The help provided goes far beyond anything that you would normally expect from the professional sector.
At the end of the day, it really all comes down to the individual. Some players will legitimately get hurt as a result of playing in the NFL, and some players will be lucky enough to avoid any major injuries. Ultimately, no one can tell the future, so we have to accept that injuries are part of the game and do our best to prevent them from happening.
Now let’s focus on the long term effects. After recovering from an injury, the player has to take extra precautions to prevent another one from happening. This means that they need to invest in the appropriate equipment, build strength and endurance, and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. This can be difficult for some players to do as they may not have sufficient resources or access to the necessary information.
Something else that athletes need to consider is the psychological effects of an injury. Recovering from an injury, both physically and mentally, is a long and arduous process. It’s not just the pain that gets you; it’s the fear of re-injury that can have an adverse mental effect. So, while physical rehab is important, psychological treatment is just as important.
It is also essential to remember the financial effects of an injury. When an athlete is injured they lose the income from their sport, as they can’t compete in their regular competitions and earn an income. This can be a huge setback for an athlete and their family, as they might lose their entire income depending on the severity of the injury.
That’s why the NFL has introduced many safety measures such as insurance plans for players with serious injuries. The insurance plans can help offset the financial burden of an injury, and also provide funding for medical treatments and rehabilitation sessions.
Therefore, it can be concluded that people can get injured playing in the NFL, but there are many ways to reduce the risk of injury and to help athletes who have been injured. So, while playing in the NFL can certainly be dangerous, there are measures in place to ensure that athletes who do get hurt can make a full recovery.