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Personal Networks of Former NFL Players

March 9, 2021
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Our relatives, casual acquaintances, and even their connections with one another, are the people who make up our personal social network. The people in this group influence us in profound ways. Research has shown that a strong personal social network can have remarkable benefits for one’s health and quality of life.

Our research scientists mapped the networks of former NFL players. The networks of 303 former players were compared to a control group of 269 American men who had not played professional contact sports. While the benefits of social networks have been examined in the general population, this is the first time they have been studied in contact sport athletes.

What the Science Says

The networks of professional football players differed in some ways from the control group:

  • We found that health conditions such as brain injuries and some chronic illnesses are often associated with smaller personal social networks. Despite the higher occurrence of traumatic brain injury and chronic illness, former players as a whole did not have the network shrinkage that we would typically expect. Their networks were the same size as those of the non-NFL control group.
  • Maintaining large social networks is associated with longer lifespans, reduced incidence of dementia, and higher cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients. One possible explanation is that the team-based, fraternal culture of competitive football persists after a player’s career has ended and accompanies him for the rest of his post-football life.

Read the full paper.

Action Items for Former Players

This research is relevant for professional football players, as many have experienced prior traumatic brain injuries, are living with chronic health conditions, or combination of both. Those who experience chronic illness or brain trauma can experience reductions in the size of their networks, which can make their existing health problems worse. Larger personal networks actually help to lessen the symptoms brought on by brain trauma and chronic illness.

Your social calendar isn’t the only thing that gets a boost when you stay connected with your friends and family. Being in touch with those in your personal network may enhance your health and theirs. Reach out to a loved one, send a message to a good friend to say hello, or set up a video chat with former teammates.