Mental Health Challenges Plague Pro Football Players

Study finds NFL players die by suicide at alarming rates compared to other major sports leagues

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A recent study found that from 1979-2019, 66 former NFL players died by suicide - more than twice as many as in Major League Baseball and over nine times the National Basketball Association over the same period. Despite mental health resources offered by the NFL, players continue to face significant stress, anxiety, and related challenges with serious consequences. The issue has drawn urgent attention to the pressures athletes face and the need for practical tools to help them manage their mental health.

Why it matters

Mental health challenges in professional football highlight the intense pressures and public scrutiny that athletes face at the highest levels of competition. The high suicide rate among former NFL players compared to other major sports leagues demonstrates the urgent need for more effective support systems and solutions to address the underlying struggles affecting these athletes.

The details

The recent loss of NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore has further emphasized the critical importance of mental health support for professional football players. A study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that from 1979–2019, 66 former NFL players died by suicide - more than twice as many as in Major League Baseball and over nine times the National Basketball Association over the same period. Despite programs offering mental health resources from the NFL Players Association and the league itself, players continue to face significant stress, anxiety, and related challenges with serious consequences.

  • The study examined data from 1979 to 2019.
  • The recent loss of NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore occurred in 2026.

The players

Rondale Moore

A former NFL wide receiver whose recent death has highlighted the urgent need for better mental health support for professional football players.

David Meltzer

An NFL Sports Marketing Executive and business leader who addressed the source of stress and anxiety for athletes, drawing from the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard.

L. Ron Hubbard

The author of the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, which Meltzer referenced as providing practical tools to help address the mental health challenges faced by athletes.

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What they’re saying

“Mental health is a big issue in my mission of empowering people to be happy. I realized I didn't know much about mental health, so I studied the significant people of history, like L. Ron Hubbard and his book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. It shows the source of your problems, your anxiety, your stress—and how to address them.”

— David Meltzer, NFL Sports Marketing Executive and business leader (GlobeNewswire)

What’s next

The NFL and players' association will likely need to continue evaluating their mental health support programs and explore new solutions to better address the underlying challenges faced by professional football players.

The takeaway

The high suicide rate among former NFL players compared to other major sports leagues underscores the urgent need for more effective mental health support systems and practical solutions to help professional football players manage the intense pressures and public scrutiny they face. Addressing the root causes of these challenges is critical to improving player well-being and preventing future tragedies.