April 28, 2007
Depression Among Retired NFL Players
University of Michigan Health System study is based on extensive survey
"...the prevalence of moderate to severe depression was nearly 15 percent, very similar to the prevalence in the general public. But the frequency with which the retired players reported problems with pain – nearly half the people in the study – puts them at significant additional risk for depression and associated difficulties...
press release | Eurekalert
~Note: nowhere in the abstract is there any mention of the average age of these retired NFL players. I'm guessing most of them are well under the age the US' Social Security Administration begins to pay out its retirement benefits.
I wonder how a similar study of players injured (i.e. 'retired') while playing college football might differ?
The earlier in life one's injured the less depression later in life? The less chronic pain?
Or since college athletes aren't 'encouraged' to play with injuries as many years as the pros before they're retired there's no basis for comparison between them & professional athletes.
(I love it that your sons want to play pro football.)
[photo via google\ not with above link]
Posted by Stubbornson at April 28, 2007 07:30 PM