Survey of 1988's NFL players

[Cobra Mgr]

Didn't want this article to get lost in the NFL Offseason thread. This was a survey of players from the 1988 season. Only about a third responded.

In a nutshell, many talked about a lower quality of life as far as their mental & physical health. The circumstances are worst for black athletes. Despite the differences and struggles, they overwhelmingly would make the same choices to play in the NFL.

I have no doubts that their mental & physical health is probably lower than the general population. But I would like the survey to go into more detail about them. Because I turned 56 this month. And I deal w/pain, memory loss, depression & financial struggle. And I never played. Even in HS. Not even Pop Warner. I think after COVID, the entire planet is dealing w/mental depression.

[Déjà Bru]

Football is such a physically demanding sport which accounts for why NFL careers are relatively short. Back in the 1980s, while what NFL players made then looks like peanuts compared to the salaries of today, I feel that it was decent money but the problem is, it didn't last long enough.

But still, "overwhelmingly, they would make the same decision to play professional football again". Somebody on Reddit brought up this quote from ex-Falcons receiver Roddy White:

When a fan asked White if he’d want to do anything else other than play football for a living, White answered, “No, I love playing football. If I can’t walk when I’m 50 it was well worth it.”

Hell, I spent my 45-year career in a series of offices, shuffling papers and juggling numbers. Would I trade places with one of these guys who played at the top of their game in front of thousands of fans, even for only a few years? Sometimes I wonder.

[Ragnar]

If they take the same survey 30 years from now, I bet you get less players saying they don't regret their choices.

Think of a scale with money on one side, and love for the game on the other. I think the further you go back, it was way more about love for the game. As the decades progress, money starts to slowly compete with love for the game.

Back in the 50s and 60's these guys had regular jobs. I'm pretty sure that extended into the 70s and 80s as well. I know Danny White of the Cowboys worked in an office building back in '81.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

If they take the same survey 30 years from now, I bet you get less players saying they don't regret their choices.

Think of a scale with money on one side, and love for the game on the other. I think the further you go back, it was way more about love for the game. As the decades progress, money starts to slowly compete with love for the game.

Back in the 50s and 60's these guys had regular jobs. I'm pretty sure that extended into the 70s and 80s as well. I know Danny White of the Cowboys worked in an office building back in '81.

That's a good point. I wonder if that would be the case, although it would seem counter-intuitive at first.

For, if you were paid more for a job, wouldn't you have a higher percentage of players who say they would do it again? But your point is, I believe, that money trumps love for the game; that today's players are generally more interested in "cashing in" than in competing for the joy of it. Hence, their aches and pains would loom larger in their regrets.

(Heh, I just used that same "cashing in" phrase in the college football thread. I'm starting to sound like a broken record. )

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

That's a good point. I wonder if that would be the case, although it would seem counter-intuitive at first.

For, if you were paid more for a job, wouldn't you have a higher percentage of players who say they would do it again? But your point is, I believe, that money trumps love for the game; that today's players are generally more interested in "cashing in" than in competing for the joy of it. Hence, their aches and pains would loom larger in their regrets.

(Heh, I just used that same "cashing in" phrase in the college football thread. I'm starting to sound like a broken record. )

You know what, you're probably right. What difference does it make what you love, money or football, you'll probably do it again if given the choice.

The difference being most players today don't make big money, and are broke a few years after leaving the NFL. They will probably regret it. Years ago everyone needed a 2nd job, they just loved the game.

[letsgobuccos]

I sometimes think about the few times I've taken a pitch to the helmet, and the time I've had the Stanton plunk, and the time I've had the Bogaerts infield/outfield slide head to body thing (hi Dr. Mike).