A new Harvard study found the suicide rate of former NFL players spiked in comparison to their NBA and Major League Baseball counterparts from 2011 through 2019.
Published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, the Football Players Study at Harvard University tracked deaths among NFL, MLB and NBA alums over a 40-year period beginning in 1979. Over that time, there were 101 reported suicides among former athletes from those leagues, but it’s the NFL that is disproportionately represented over the final decade.
According to researchers, the suicide rate of ex-NFL players was 2.6 times higher than ex-NBA and MLB players. Those former NFL stars include legendary San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau, ex-Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson and the Atlanta Falcons’ Ray Easterling, all of whom were posthumously diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
But study co-author Rachel Grashow cite head trauma as the lone potential factor in the findings. Rather, she believes there are a number of causes that need to be studied at greater length. She also referred to a 2024 study reporting that found a third of former NFL players battle health issues such as low testosterone, depression, and sleep apnea.
Curiously, players dealing with those health issues were more likely to think about self harm than those who believe they’re suffering from CTE, which can only be diagnosed posthumously.
Seau died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2012. He’s since been diagnosed with CTE
And as for her own research, Grashow believes the rise in suicides among NFL players begins around 2011 because that time period coincides with enhanced awareness about CTE and its consequences.
‘We believe 2011 was a pivotal year for that conversation, when the publication of scientific studies on brain injury, neurodegenerative disease, and football accelerated,’ she said in an interview with the Harvard School of Public Health.
‘In particular, CTE—a neuropathological condition that is determined only through autopsy, and that cannot yet be diagnosed or treated in living patients—gained attention in a series of highly publicized research articles. There were also a number of high-profile deaths by suicide among some NFL players after 2010 that were discussed publicly.’
Co-author Marc Weisskopf stressed that ‘there are many possible contributing factors,’ including the potential for misleading data.
‘It’s also possible that deaths among NFL players that would not have been classified as suicides by medical examiners prior to 2011 may have been labeled a suicide after 2010, as a result of greater awareness of issues related to head trauma,’ said Weisskopf, . Additionally, high profile suicides have been known to cause a ‘copycat’ or contagion effect called the Werther effect. More research is needed to determine the individual contributions of each of these factors.’
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Pallbearers, including ex-teammate Richard Dent, carry the casket of Dave Duerson in 2011
Both the NFL and the players’ union, the NFLPA, used the study’s release to encourage ex-players to address symptoms that can lead to suicidal thoughts.
In response to publication of the paper this week, both NFL and NFLPA encouraged retired players to use resources available for treatment of symptoms that can lead to suicide.
‘We believe in taking a science-first, data-driven approach to our members’ health and safety, and findings from studies such as this one by the Football Players Health Study conducted at Harvard University can help players make informed health and safety decisions during and after their football careers,’ read a statement from the NFLPA, which funded the independent study.
‘Our union offers a number of dedicated health resources to active and former players. We regularly encourage players to take advantage of these programs, along with maintaining check-ups with their personal healthcare providers, as part of a holistic approach to their physical and mental well-being.’
Golden Tate gets a concussion test in 2019 – two years before retiring. He now does reality TV
NFL vice president of wellness and clinical services Dr. Nyaka NiiLampti also pushed for players to use the mental health resources available to them.
‘This study underscores the importance of the resources the NFL and NFLPA provide to former players, and we encourage former players to utilize these resources to identify and seek treatment when they are concerned about their health,’ NiiLampti said.
‘The hope is that no one — especially within the NFL family — ever feels alone or unsupported, and we will continue our efforts to make this a reality.’
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
