ESPN joined forces with KFF’s public opinion researchers to develop a detailed survey. They zeroed in specifically on guys who played in the NFL between 1988 and when they died. Conducted from October 17 through November 30 of 2024, the survey attracted responses from 546 participants. This project aims to highlight the ways that time spent in professional football has a long-term, detrimental effect. It looks particularly at health concerns and the players’ long-term relationship with the game.
The survey included as its base a representative sampling of 1,532 ex-NFL players. Note that all of these players played in at least one game during the 1988 season. Not surprisingly, 128 of these players were found to have already died before or during the study’s data collection period. In addition to the player responses, the project incorporated interviews with 18 family members of deceased players and one family member of a living player facing cognitive issues. This strategy helped deepen their results and give more well-rounded context to the repercussions of their football careers in the long term.
Methodology and Demographics
The survey methodology ensured that the final sample accurately reflected the demographics of all players active in 1988, requiring no additional weighting adjustments. Scholars considered how different factors, such as race/ethnicity, job title, rosters, or years in the league, impacted inequity. The careful design of the survey aimed to capture an authentic snapshot of the experiences of former NFL players from this era.
As an incentive, participants were offered a $100 gift card to encourage participation. They can then designate their contribution to go to Gridiron Greats, a charity providing assistance to former NFL players in need. The survey was completed by an incredible 40% of all living players. Among relatives of deceased players, the effective response rate was 16%. These numbers show us a deep commitment to the survey, to what it means, and to a desire from all who participate to enhance their experiences.
Health Challenges Faced by Former Players
The survey results painted a distressing picture of health trends among the respondents. Almost all of them—94 percent—said they played in pain over the past three months. In fact, half of them reported dealing with pain on a daily basis. Former footballers routinely attribute their physical deterioration to the rigors of playing professional football. They point to chronic pain and a host of other serious physical ailments as key long-term impacts from their years spent in the league.
The results highlight an important story around the chronic physical cost of professional sports. Most participants say they can pride themselves on their careers as well as the lasting friendships they’ve formed both on and off the field. They are not immune to the harsh realities of aging and health conditions. To lose at least a dozen teammates is an immeasurable burden. This loss gives way to a dynamic interplay in which memory is both invoked and undercut by grief.
Loyalty to Football Despite Challenges
Even through the major health battles they’ve endured, ex-NFL players from that fateful 1988 season still show incredible fidelity to the sport. Only a few stopped watching NFL games, coaching youth football and discouraging their kids from playing. This deeper connection to football—beyond the history, beyond the nostalgia—shows how the sport has created a strong emotional connection anchored through stories.
These men value the fraternity formed during their playing days, highlighting the togetherness found within the world of professional athletics. Yet, despite their personal battles with issues surrounding their health, their passion for the game of football continues. The survey highlights not only their pain but their resilience and commitment to fostering a love for the game in future generations.
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