Psychological Profiles for NFL Players

[Phoenix-Talon]

Think about it ...

For any of you who have psychological degrees, or are psych majors in school, I'm sure you can see the writing all over the walls. There are signs right here on message boards about incidents that are happening during the regular/off season regarding players who hit pregnant women, abuse their wives, gun violations; to include shhotings, stabbings, and other misdemeanor and felonious charges.

There's a school of thought that probably suggest that many of these occcurences are a result of substance abuse ...and that true. But I suggest that an equalor greater number can be attributed to mental illnesses. I'm not going to attempt to single out any one incident that has occurred, however you all know of cases involving NFL players where they seem' to have acted in a way to suggest that they were not acting in their right minds.

Aside from psychical prowess on the field, players are required to endure the psychological stresses of renewing their next contracts, staying healthy, and the buisness end of playing football. Even high profile players that try to maintin their stat numbers or the thought of losing a step or two because of age of a past injury ...all of that can be quiite traumatic.

That said, team Psychologists/sports psychologists need to take a closer look at whether NFL players are metally stable. At least in terms of being able to deal with the pressures associated with the everyday turmoils of the NFL. I suppose agents defuse much of the worry in the business side of things ...at least that's what they are supposed to do.

The whole point of my thread is to suggest that mnay of the players carry scars that go beyond the physical realm. In terms of a military perspective, you have soldiers that deal with combative situations who are practically thrown back into our communties and are expected to function in calm rational behavioral patterns. Many are exposed to violent traumatic experiences that can trigger post traumatic stress disorders and Other related illnesses common in retuning veterans. That concept or at least to some degree, can be applied to NFL players coming off of violent regular seasons, expected to react to everyday situations during the off season and regular season.

The bottom line is that while some players are physically ready to play, many others are psychologically injured and unfit to turn off the NFL regular season filled with violence in their everyday life.

 

[Aikbach]

Why should the psyche of a football player be any less diverse or of greater importance than any other man in society?

Some of them are scum that only avoid prison via athleticism (both on the field and from the police).

Deviants in sports should be given the same treatment deviants in any other profession receive, it is interesting how pro sports is about the only unionized labor that has white collar benefits and pay yet is treated as if they are special ed students accomodation wise, doesn't make much sense does it

 

[big dog cowboy]

The bottom line is that while some players are physically ready to play, many others are psychologically injured and unfit to turn off the NFL regular season filled with violence in their everyday life.

While that is certainly true, it's that way in real life. Just watch the news every day for examples.

 

[5Stars]

Why should the psyche of a football player be any less diverse or of greater importance than any other man in society?

Some of them are scum that only avoid prison via athleticism (both on the field and from the police).

Deviants in sports should be given the same treatment deviants in any other profession receive, it is interesting how pro sports is about the only unionized labor that has white collar benefits and pay yet is treated as if they are special ed students accomodation wise, doesn't make much sense does it

Very well said!


And, as the saying goes, "Money talks and bull**** walks."

I don't buy the thing about how it's such a physical, grueling game, like combat to a soldier (which should not even be in this dicussion)...it's just that young kids are given big money and fame, and all of a sudden they think they can get away with everything...!

No, it's not a mental health thing...it's just stupid people doing stupid things...and gettng off more then the common person without money doing the exact same things.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

Everyone is making some fair points, and there is no one single explanation. That includes the young careless perspective.

The whole point of this thread is that the NFL should invest in the mental health of its players, and Not just the performance aspect.

Self medications in the form of drugs and alcohol are probably more prevalent than you may suspect. Dysfuntional behavior in the form of domestic abuse, crime and other froms of expressions are increasing at an alarming rate.

Football is a violent, collision contact sport. It may not be as easy for some players to turn off that violence simply because the whistle blows.

 

[burmafrd]

Always someone with an excuse. Millions of dollars, fame, etc. Sorry but this sort of BS makes me puke.

 

[burmafrd]

So why is it so much worse now then before? Are there more incidents- or are they being reported now instead of hidden? Mental health. MORE BS.
These guys have been spoiled since junior high; treated as little gods who can do no wrong as long as they perform on the field. Can get away with just about anything. Then they get to the NFL and suddenly there is no one to get them out of trouble- they have to do it themselves. OOOOPPPPPSSSS.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

While that is certainly true, it's that way in real life. Just watch the news every day for examples.

Sure, in most major metropolitan urban cities, violence is an everyday occurrence. But there are mental illness statistics that support that behavior. The same measurement should be applied to NFL players.

 

[5Stars]

Sure, in most major metropolitan urban cities, violence is an everyday occurrence. But there are mental illness statistics that support that behavior. The same measurement should be applied to NFL players.

What is the crime rate among NFL players? That's a starting point? 10%, 20%, 3%...I don't know?

And, how do you know that there are not measurements of that in the NFL?

If not, get after it!

 

[AbeBeta]

Think about it ...

For any of you who have psychological degrees, or are psych majors in school, I'm sure you can see the writing all over the walls.

I'd like to point out that the VAST majority of research in psychology does not focus on behavioral problems or mental health.

 

[5Stars]

I'd like to point out that the VAST majority of research in psychology does not focus on behavioral problems or mental health.

Psychology gives me a headache...

:bang2:

 

[Angus]

Maybe the best mental health medicine for NFL players is a quick and permanent ouster from the NFL if they come down with thug-ism off the field. Everybody, including everybody in the NFL, is responsible for their own actions -- anywhere.

 

[silverbear]

PT, I think a lot of it is that these football studs have been fawned over since their high school days... if they got into some minor trouble, there was somebody there to sweep it under the rug for them... if their grades were problematic, somebody happened along to "fix" that, too...

When you get used to people covering for you, no matter what you do, you start to feel like the rules don't apply to you, like you can do pretty much whatever you please...