How Many NFL Players Have Died On the Field?

It’s a question that often gets asked – how many NFL players have died on the field? The answer, sadly, is quite a few. Here’s a look at some of the most notable cases.

Introduction

On November 24, 1963, NFL player Chuck bednarik made a tackle that resulted in the death ofFrank Gifford, a New York Giants player.Gifford died of a massive brain hemorrhage 12 days after the game. He was 36 years old.Bednarik’s tackle was legal, but it started a debate about whether football was too dangerous for players. In the 50 years since Gifford’s death, more than 30 NFL players have died while playing or as a result of injuries they sustained during games.

NFL Players Who Died During Games

Since the 2017 NFL season, there have been three deaths of NFL players during games.
In December 2017, Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Da’Quan Bowers were both carted off the field with what were later diagnosed as Achilles tendon ruptures. Both players missed the rest of the season.
In September 2018, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Albert Wilson was carted off the field with a hip injury that turned out to be a season-ending hip dislocation.

NFL Players Who Died After Their Careers

Since the founding of the National Football League in 1920, a total of 20 NFL players have died as a direct result of injuries suffered during their professional careers.

The most recent player to die as a result of an on-field injury was Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a cervical spine injury during a game in September 2007 and subsequently died on October 20, 2007.

Prior to Everett’s death, the most recent NFL player to die as a result of an on-field injury was Detroit Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes, who suffered a heart attack during a game against the Chicago Bears in October 1971.

Of the 20 NFL players who have died as a direct result of on-field injuries, 14 have died since 1970.

The Risks of Playing Football

football is a dangerous sport. Since the early 1900s, more than 100 NFL players have died while playing the game. Most of these deaths have been due to head and neck injuries, including concussions.

In recent years, there has been a greater focus on the risks of playing football. Concussions in particular have become a major concern, as studies have shown that repeated head injuries can lead to long-term health problems. As a result, many NFL players have retired early in order to avoid further injury.

Despite the risks, however, many players continue to play football because they love the game and believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. For many fans, part of the appeal of football is the knowledge that it is a dangerous sport and that players are putting their bodies on the line every time they step on the field.

How Can the NFL Make Football Safer?

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the safety of football players, due in part to the high-profile deaths of several professional athletes. According to a report from the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, there have been a total of nine NFL players who have died from on-field injuries since 2000.

So how can the NFL make football safer? Some have suggested banning tackling altogether, while others have proposed changes to equipment and rule changes.

One thing is certain – the NFL needs to do something to make the game safer for its athletes. With more and more young men dying on the field, it’s clear that something needs to be done to prevent these tragedies from happening in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there have been a total of 331 NFL players who have died while playing football. Of these, 271 were due to traumatic injuries, 59 were due to diseases, and 1 was due to heatstroke. Most of these deaths were due to problems with the players’ equipment, such as shoulder pads and helmets. While the number of NFL player deaths has decreased over time, it is still higher than the death rate for other professional sports leagues.