Former NFL players' suicide rates higher than other sports, study suggests

A Harvard study found that between 2011 and 2019 former NFL players died by suicide at about 2.6 times the rate of former NBA and MLB players, and authors said multiple health and reporting factors may contribute.

A Harvard study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma examined deaths among former NFL, NBA and MLB players from 1979 through 2019. Researchers reported 101 suicides across the three leagues during that period. They found that in 2011–2019 former NFL players accounted for a larger share of those deaths, with a suicide rate about 2.6 times that of former NBA and MLB players. Study authors cautioned that no single cause explains the change. Key points: - The Football Players Health Study tracked league deaths from 1979 to 2019 and identified 101 suicides among former NFL, NBA and MLB players. - From 2011–2019, former NFL players had a suicide rate about 2.6 times higher than former NBA and MLB players, according to the study. - Co-author Rachel Grashow said head injuries alone do not fully explain the higher rate and pointed to a mix of physical and mental health issues among retired players. - Co-author Marc Weisskopf noted that increased public awareness and possible changes in how deaths are reported after 2010 could affect the numbers, and he referenced the so-called Werther effect. - The NFL and NFL Players Association responded by encouraging retired players to use available health resources and said they support research-based solutions. Summary: The research highlights a higher reported suicide rate among former NFL players in 2011–2019 compared with former NBA and MLB players. Authors cited a combination of health problems and changes in reporting as possible contributors. Undetermined at this time.