Has Anyone Ever Died During an NFL Game?
Contents
No one has ever died during an NFL game, but there have been a few close calls. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most dangerous moments in NFL history and how the league has worked to prevent them from happening again.
Introduction
Since its founding in 1920, the National Football League has seen its share of tragic deaths, both on and off the field. While there have been a number of gruesome injuries, there have fortunately been very few fatalities. In fact, there have only been three deaths directly related to playing in an NFL game.
The first occurred in 1971, when San Diego Chargers wide receiver Lance Alworth collided with a goal post while making a catch. He suffered a severe brain hemorrhage and died two days later. The second death came in 1985, when Detroit Lions running back Chuck Hughes collapsed on the field during a game and died of a heart attack. The most recent death was that of Colorado Bills player Reggie Fowler, who died of an apparent heart attack during training camp in 1998.
While these are the only three deaths that have been directly attributed to playing in an NFL game, there have been a number of other deaths that are indirectly related to the sport. For instance, several players have died as a result of injuries sustained while practicing or training for games. In addition, a number of suicides and accidents involving former NFL players have made headlines over the years.
So while it is certainly rare, it is possible for someone to die while playing in an NFL game. However, the vast majority of players go their entire careers without sustaining any serious injuries.
History of NFL Fatalities
Although professional football is a relatively safe sport, there have been a few fatalities in its history. This section will discuss the few fatal incidents that have occurred during NFL games.
Pre-1920
American football as a whole has experienced a total of 171 deaths since its inception in the late 1800s. The first recorded death occurred in 1905 when Harold Spurgeon Eben died during a game between Harvard and University of306 Pennsylvania. Eben was accidentally knocked unconscious while attempting to make a tackle and then trampled by the other players. He died later that day from his injuries.
Prior to 1920, there were 11 recorded deaths in American football games. These deaths were mostly due to injuries sustained during games, such as broken necks and spines, as well as fatal blunt force trauma to the head and chest. The most common causes of death prior to 1920 were violence and accidents.
1920-1949
1920-1949
In the early years of the NFL, there were a number of deadly accidents and on-field injuries, with several players dying as a result. One of the most tragic incidents occurred in November 1928, when Harold “Red” Grange suffered a severe neck injury during a game against the Chicago Cardinals. Grange was rushed to the hospital and had to undergo emergency surgery, but he ultimately recovered and went on to have a successful career in the NFL.
In December 1934, John Toner of the New York Giants died after colliding with another player during a game against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Toner’s death was ruled an accident, but it raised concerns about player safety in the NFL.
Two years later, in December 1936, Pittsburgh Steelers player Ray Keeler died after suffering a head injury during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Again, player safety was called into question and Keeler’s death led to changes in how head injuries were treated in the NFL.
In October 1948, Fred Gehrke of the San Francisco 49ers died after suffering a head injury during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. Gehrke’s death marked the third time in just over 10 years that an NFL player had died as a result of a on-field injury.
These accidents and fatalities led to calls for increased safety measures in the NFL. In response, the league began to implement rules changes aimed at improving player safety, such as banning certain types of contact and instituting penalties for dangerous play. These changes helped to make the NFL safer for players, but unfortunately accidents and fatalities still occur from time to time even today.
1950-1979
In the 1950s, there were several deaths due to on-field injuries, including that of Chuck Hughes, who died of a heart attack during a game in 1971. In the 1970s, there were a number of fatal blunt force trauma injuries, including the deaths of Mike Tice in 1973 and Brian Piccolo in 1971. The latter death was dramatized in the film “Brian’s Song”. A number of players died from heat stroke in the 1970s as well.
1980-2009
Sadly, there have been a number of NFL fatalities over the years. During the 1980s and 1990s, a total of seven NFL players died as a result of on-field injuries. These included three linebackers, two defensive linemen, one offensive lineman, and one running back. All of these players were African American.
The most recent NFL fatality occurred in 2009, when tight end Aaron Hernandez passed away after suffering a head injury during a game. Hernandez had been playing for the New England Patriots at the time of his death.
2010-present
Since 2010, there have been four NFL fatalities that have been attributed to on-field play. In 2011, Corey Stringer of the Minnesota Vikings and Korey Stringer of the Oakland Raiders both died of heat stroke during training camp. In 2012, Jovan Belcher of the Kansas City Chiefs fatally shot himself after killing his girlfriend, and in 2013, Michaelyson Eugene of the Arizona Cardinals suffered a spinal cord injury during a game and later died.
Causes of Death
There have been a total of three deaths during NFL games in the past. The first death happened in 1971 when Cleveland Browns lineman, Chuck Hughes, suffered a heart attack during a game. The cause of death was listed as myocardial infarction, which is the medical term for a heart attack.
Blunt force trauma
Blunt force trauma is one of the most common causes of death in NFL games. It occurs when a player is hit with a large amount of force, usually from another player or from a hard object such as the ground. This type of trauma can cause severe internal injuries, including bleeding and organ damage, which can lead to death.
In some cases, players have died immediately after being injured on the field. In other cases, players have died days or weeks later from complications related to their injuries. Some players have even died years later, as a result of complications from blunt force trauma sustained during their playing careers.
Heat-related illness is the leading cause of death among NFL players, accounting for nearly one-third of all fatalities. Players are particularly susceptible to heat stroke and other heat-related problems during training camp and preseason practices, when they are not acclimated to the hot, humid conditions. Many NFL teams have implemented strict heat acclimation protocols in recent years to try to reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in NFL games. It occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and can lead to death within minutes unless treated immediately. Cardiac arrest can be caused by a variety of factors, including a blow to the chest, electrical shock, and intense emotional stress.
Conclusion
From what we can tell, there has only been one death directly related to playing in an NFL game. In 1971, Detroit Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes collapsed on the field and died of a heart attack. While there have been other deaths in NFL games, they’ve been attributed to pre-existing conditions or other factors unrelated to playing the game.
