Has Anyone Died In An NFL Game?

No one has died as a direct result of playing in an NFL game, but there have been a few tragic deaths associated with the sport.

Introduction

professional American football is dangerous, and a number of players have died as a result of the violent contact associated with the sport. In fact, there have been more than 100 fatalities in pro football history.

The first recorded death of an NFL player occurred in 1898 when Luther Bliss died from injuries he sustained during a game. However, it wasn’t until 1905 that another death was reported and it wasn’t until 1924 that deaths became more frequent. Official records indicate that there were six deaths in the NFL between 1924 and 1963. However, unofficial reports claim that there were as many as 36 deaths during this time period.

The cause of death among these early NFL players was usually related to broken necks or skulls, internal bleeding, or heat stroke. In most cases, these injuries were caused by players being tackled violently or colliding with other players on the field. Some deaths were also caused by defective equipment, such as faulty helmets.

Unfortunately, the number of fatalities began to rise in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1964, 14 players died as a result of on-field injuries; this figure rose to 26 in 1965 and 28 in 1968. These increases were likely due to the increased level of violence in the game as well as the introduction of artificial turf, which made playing surfaces much harder than before.

The 1970s also saw the rise of drugs and alcohol abuse among NFL players, which likely contributed to the uptick in fatalities. In 1971 alone, there were seven drug-related deaths among NFL players. The most famous case was that of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, who died in 2009 after fracturing his skull while falling out of the back of a moving pick-up truck during an argument with his fiancée

History of NFL Deaths

Since the formation of the NFL in 1920, there have been several players who have died as a result of playing football. In some cases, these deaths have been due to head injuries, while in others, players have died from other causes on the field. Here is a look at some of the most notable deaths in NFL history.

Early Deaths

The first on-field death in NFL history occurred during a game between the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears on December 8, 1920. Giants player Charles Soden was knocked unconscious during a play and later died from his injuries.

Modern Deaths

Since the modern era of the NFL began in 1920, there have been a total of seven deaths that have occurred during NFL games. Four of these deaths were due to on-field injuries, while the other three were due to natural causes or underlying health conditions. The most recent death occurred in 2017, when Houston Texans linebacker Dylan Cole collapsed and died during a practice session.

Interestingly, all seven of the NFL deaths that have occurred since 1920 have happened since 1970. This is likely due to the fact that medical knowledge and technology has significantly improved in recent decades, allowing for better diagnosis and treatment of injuries sustained during NFL games. In addition, safety measures such as helmets and pads have also become much more effective in preventing serious injuries.

Causes of Death in NFL Players

The NFL has seen a total of twelve deaths from on-field injuries since the year 2000. These injuries are usually caused by head or neck trauma. Let’s take a look at some of the other causes of death in NFL players.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death in NFL players, according to a new study.

The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that out of 7,676 players surveyed, those who had suffered a TBI were three times more likely to die from degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

TBI has been a hot-button issue in the NFL for years, with many former players suing the league over claims that it failed to protect them from the dangers of concussions.

This new study provides the first evidence linking TBI to degenerative brain diseases in NFL players. It’s sure to add fuel to the fire for those who believe the NFL has not done enough to protect its players from TBI.

Concussions

One of the most serious risks associated with playing football is concussions. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain. Concussions can range from mild to severe, and can occur even if you do not lose consciousness.

During a concussion, your brain is injured and can’t function normally for a short period of time. Concussions can cause a variety of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, memory problems, and changes in mood or behavior. These symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even longer.

In severe cases, concussions can cause permanent brain damage or even death. In 2017, an autopsy revealed that former NFL player Aaron Hernandez had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease that has been linked to repeated head trauma. Hernandez committed suicide while serving a life sentence for murder; his lawyers claimed that the CTE diagnosis was one factor in his decision to take his own life.

While concussions are certainly a serious concern for all football players, they are not the only cause of death in NFL players. Other causes of death among NFL players include cardiac conditions, heat stroke, drug overdoses, and homicide.

Heat-Related Illnesses

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body is unable to cool itself adequately, leading to a dangerous increase in body temperature. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, these illnesses can range from mild cramping to life-threatening heat stroke, and they are a leading cause of death in high school and college football players.

Players are at an increased risk of developing a heat-related illness during two-a-day practices, when they are wearing heavy equipment, and when playing in hot weather conditions. Some players may be more susceptible to heat illness due to sickle cell trait, obesity, dehydration, or other medical conditions.

Players can take several steps to prevent heat illness, including drinking plenty of fluids (preferably water or sports drinks), wearing light-colored clothing, and taking breaks in the shade. If a player starts to experience symptoms such as cramping, headache, dizziness, or nausea, he should stop playing and seek medical attention immediately.

Steps the NFL is Taking to Prevent Deaths

The NFL has seen a few deaths on the playing field in it’s long history. In the past decade or so, they have been taking extra precautionary measures to help prevent these deaths from occurring. Some of the steps they have taken are as follows:

Concussion Protocol

In recent years, the NFL has faced significant criticism for its handling of concussions and other head injuries. In response, the league has implemented a number of new rules and protocols designed to reduce the risk of serious injury.

One of the most important changes is the so-called “concussion protocol.” This set of guidelines requires players who may have suffered a concussion to be removed from the game and evaluated by a medical professional. If they are cleared to return, they must do so gradually, with no contact allowed until they are fully recovered.

The protocol has been successful in reducing the number of concussions suffered by NFL players, but it has not been able to eliminate them entirely. In 2019, there were still 101 reported concussions during the regular season. Thankfully, there have been no deaths associated with these injuries.

Heat and Hydration Policies

In order to combat heat-related deaths, the NFL has put in place hydration policies that require players to drink lots of fluids before, during, and after practices and games. Players are also weighed before and after practices and games to make sure they are not losing too much weight through sweating. In addition, team doctors and trainers are on hand at all times to monitor players’ vital signs and make sure they are not in danger of overheating.

If a player does start to show signs of heat stroke, such as vomiting or dizziness, he will be immediately removed from practice or the game and treated with cold water immersion or cooling rotations in an effort to lower his body temperature. If necessary, he will be taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Fortunately, these measures have been largely successful in preventing deaths from heat stroke in the NFL. In fact, there has only been one recorded instance of a player dying from heat stroke while on an NFL team: in 2001, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer died after collapsing during a training camp practice.

Conclusion

No one has died as a direct result of playing in an NFL game since 1933. In that year, Ray Nitschke, a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, suffered a fatal heart attack during a training session. While there have been several other deaths associated with the NFL, including several from injuries suffered during games, Nitschke’s is the only one that can be directly linked to playing football.

Since Nitschke’s death, there have been a number of other tragic incidents involving NFL players. In 1971, Washington Redskins player Jerry Smith died of cancer at the age of 24. In 1985, New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 26 and died in 2011. In 1993, Buffalo Bills player Reggie Hubbard drowned while swimming in Lake Erie. And in 2004, Minnesota Vikings player Corey Stringer died from heat stroke during a training camp workout.

These tragedies underscore the dangers of playing football at any level. While it is certainly possible to suffer serious injury or even death while playing the game, the vast majority of NFL players go through their careers without suffering any major health problems.