Why Is The Average NFL Career So Short?

The average NFL career is only three and a half years long. That’s shorter than the average career for major league baseball players (five years) and professional basketball players (four and a half years). So why is the average NFL career so short?

There are a few factors that contribute to the short lifespan of an NFL player’s career. First, the physical nature of the sport takes a toll on the body. NFL players are constantly hitting each other, and the wear and tear

The Physical Toll of the Game

The average NFL career is just 3.3 years long. That’s shorter than the average career for just about any other profession. So, why is the average NFL career so short? A big part of the reason is the physical toll that the game takes on the player’s bodies.

The frequency of injuries

Injuries are an inherent part of football. A certain amount of contact is required in order to advance the ball, and with that contact comes the risk of injury. In fact, the rate of injuries in football is one of the highest of any sport. A study by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association found that over half of all NFL players sustain some type of injury during the course of a season.

Of these injuries, the most common are strains and sprains, which account for almost a third of all NFL injuries. Fractures and dislocations come in second, accounting for about 15 percent of all injuries. Head injuries make up about 9 percent, and concussions account for just over 2 percent.

The frequency of injuries in football takes its toll on athletes both physically and mentally. In addition to the pain and suffering associated with the injury itself, athletes must also deal with lengthy recoveries and missed time from playing the sport they love. For many athletes, this can be a difficult thing to overcome both physically and emotionally.

The severity of injuries

The average NFL career is just 3.3 years. A lot of that has to do with players leaving the league voluntarily, but an important factor is that players are simply getting forced out by injuries.

One reason for the shortened careers is the increasing severity of injuries. In 2017, there were 158 season-ending injuries, which was up 32% from 2013. These injuries often require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation, which can take a player out of commission for an entire year or more.

Another reason for the shortened careers is that players are getting increasingly bigger and faster, which makes them more likely to get injured in the first place. The average NFL player is now 6’2” and weigh 250 pounds, which is about 25 pounds heavier than they were in 1960.

The increase in size and speed has also led to an increase in the number of concussion. In 2017, there were 291 concussions, which was up almost 30% from 2016. These head injuries can have long-term effects on a player’s health and increase their risk of developing conditions like dementia later in life.

The Mental Toll of the Game

The average NFL career is only 3.5 years. A lot of players are out of the league within 2 years. Why is this? There are a number of factors that contribute to the short shelf life of most NFL players. In this article, we will focus on the mental toll that the game takes on its players.

The pressure to perform

The average NFL career is just 2.6 years. That’s a short time to make an impact in the league, and it’s even shorter when you consider that the vast majority of players are done by age 30.

So what leads to such a short career? A variety of factors, but one of the most important is the pressure to perform.

Players are under immense pressure to perform at a high level on a week-to-week basis. And if they don’t, their jobs are in jeopardy. This pressure can take a mental and physical toll on players, leading to shortened careers.

The fear of injuries

One of the biggest issues facing NFL players is the fear of injuries. Every time they step on the field, they risk serious injury. A 2011 study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that nearly half of all NFL players will suffer a serious injury at some point in their careers.

This fear of injuries can take a toll on players both physically and mentally. Many players are constantly worried about getting hurt, and this can lead to them feeling anxious and stressed. This can ultimately affect their performance on the field.

In addition, the constant worry about injuries can also lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. A 2013 study found that former NFL players were more likely to suffer from depression than the general population. The study also found that these depression rates were even higher among players who had suffered a concussion during their career.

The Financial Toll of the Game

The average NFL career is just 3.3 years. A lot of players only last a few seasons in the league before they’re forced to retire due to injuries. The financial toll of the game is one of the main reasons why careers are so short. Players have to pay for their own medical expenses, and they don’t make much money compared to other professional athletes.

The high cost of living

The average NFL career is just 3.3 years long. That’s shorter than the average career in the military, and much shorter than the average career in just about any other profession.

One of the reasons for this is the high cost of living for NFL players. The average player earns a salary of $2 million per year, but that’s only a small part of the equation. Players also have to pay for their own housing, food, transportation, and other living expenses.

This can be a challenge for even the most well-paid players. In 2017, Super Bowl MVP Von Miller had to take out a $25 million loan just to cover his living expenses.

Players also have to pay for their own health insurance. This can be a significant expense, especially if they have families. In 2017, one study found that the average health insurance premium for an NFL player was $15,000 per year.

Players also have to plan for their financial future after their playing days are over. The average NFL career is short, but most players will need to support themselves and their families for decades after they retire. This can be a challenge, especially if they haven’t been able to save much during their playing days.

There are some programs in place to help players with this transition, but they are far from perfect. The NFL has a pension program that provides retired players with a small monthly income, but it doesn’t keep pace with inflation and doesn’t begin until players are at least 45 years old. The Players Association also has a 401(k) program that players can contribute to, but it isn’t mandatory and many players don’t take advantage of it.

The high cost of living combined with the short length of the average NFL career can make it difficult for even the most well-paid players to support themselves and their families after they retire from the league.

The low salaries of rookies

One of the main reasons why NFL careers are so short is because of the low salaries of rookies. According to Spotrac, the average salary for a rookie in the NFL is just over $800,000. While this may seem like a lot of money, it’s important to remember that these players are only signed to four-year deals. And, with the physical nature of football, many of these players will never see the end of their rookie contracts.

In addition to low salaries, rookies also have to deal with higher levels of competition. There are only 53 roster spots on each NFL team and there are hundreds of players vying for those spots each year. The odds of even making an NFL roster are very low, let alone having a successful career.

Finally, it’s worth noting that NFL careers are shorter than they used to be. In 1993, the average NFL career was 3.3 years. In 2016, that number had dropped to 2.66 years. There are a number of factors that have contributed to this decline, but one of the most significant is the increasing awareness of the long-term risks associated with playing football. With more and more players retiring early due to fears about their long-term health, it’s likely that the average NFL career will continue to get shorter in the years to come.