College football is considered, by many, the epitome of athletic success for young athletes. A drive for glory and success on the field pushes many players to work their bodies to the limit. Unfortunately, its high-impact nature can lead to devastating, life-altering injuries that end promising careers prematurely. Here are some of the most common career-ending injuries in college Football Athletes.
Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Concussions rank among the most serious and life-altering injuries in football. The repeated blows to the head that players endure can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease. This condition often affects players’ cognitive function, behavior, and mood. The severity of these injuries forces many athletes to retire early to avoid long-term damage to their health.
More to the point, a former college football player, Chris Borland, retired following his first year in the National Football League since he feared brain injuries as a significant cause for quitting. For fans following college football and engaging in sportsbooks like FanDuel betting, understanding the impact of such injuries on player performance and career longevity adds an extra layer of insight into their favorite sport.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Another class of catastrophic injury that may terminate a career in an instant is a spinal cord injury, leading to paralysis and permanent disability for a football player. A spinal injury has an impact that reaches beyond the playing field into every area of an athlete’s life. This is the kind of greatly feared injury by a player, who, rightly so, feels that it can take a huge toll on him physically and emotionally.
The case of Eric LeGrand, a former Rutgers player, highlights the devastating effects of spinal cord injuries. LeGrand suffered a severe spinal cord injury during a game, leading to paralysis from the neck down. His story underscores the high stakes of the sport.
Knee Injuries
High knee injuries, in most cases, lead to the ending of a football career. High knee injuries mainly are caused by torn ligaments, say the anterior ligament. The complexity of the knee structure thus makes it vulnerable to injuries due to the high-level nature of the physical requirements for the sport.
An ACL tear can be so serious that healing will require immense surgery and therapy, with the recovery not always being complete, thus rendering the player unable to perform at their previous level, ultimately resulting in retirement. Most athletes are never able to recover fully and are forced to retire on account of the injury sustained. Recovery from such an injury usually takes more than a year, which is a long time for any athlete.
Shoulder Injuries
Also very common are shoulder injuries, mostly dislocation and rotator cuff tears, which greatly compromise the career of football players. The shoulder is exposed to injuries by the very fact that it’s a mobile joint and almost is involved in every action on the field.
Recurrent injuries then result in chronic instability with pain that is ever present, leaving the patient with no option but to retire from the game pretty early. Healing after shoulder surgery may require the football player to undergo physical therapy for several months; the risk of further injury remains realized.
Achilles Tendon Ruptures
The Achilles tendon, crucial for running and jumping, can rupture during the explosive movements common in football. A ruptured Achilles tendon typically requires surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period. The injury’s severity and the challenging recovery process often result in athletes being unable to return to their previous level of performance. This injury can be particularly devastating for NCAAF players who rely on their speed and agility.
Wrist and Hand Injuries
Wrist and hand injuries may also end a football career, especially for players whose positions demand frequent use of their hands. The player may experience too much pain and functional loss secondary to fractures, tearing of the ligaments, and dislocations. Surgery and rehab may still not improve the strength and dexterity of the hand to good enough levels to allow the athlete to continue competing.
Conclusion
College football offers young athletes the chance to showcase their talents and pursue their dreams. However, the sport’s high-impact nature also brings a significant risk of career-ending injuries. Concussions, spinal cord injuries, knee injuries, shoulder injuries, Achilles tendon ruptures, hip injuries, and wrist and hand injuries are some of the most common and devastating injuries faced by players.
