Image representing the potential long-term neurological effects of concussions on former college football players, depicted through a surreal and symbolic composition.

Concussion Crisis: Are Former College Football Players at Risk?

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research spotlights the link between concussions in college football and long-term health problems. Learn about the risks and what can be done."

The roar of the crowd, the bone-crushing tackles, the thrill of victory—college football is a quintessential part of American culture. But beneath the Friday night lights and Saturday afternoon spectacles lies a growing concern about the long-term health of the athletes who dedicate their bodies to the game. Specifically, the repetitive head trauma and concussions endured on the field may have lasting consequences that extend far beyond their playing years.

Concussions are a well-recognized risk in football, with studies consistently showing a higher incidence compared to other sports. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has been tracking concussions, and their research confirms that players who have already experienced a concussion are at a significantly greater risk of sustaining another one. These repeated head injuries are now being linked to potential long-term neurological and psychological issues.

Now, a new study is adding to the growing body of evidence, focusing specifically on former college football players and the potential long-term effects of concussions on their health. This research aims to shed light on the connection between head trauma sustained during college football and the development of adverse health outcomes later in life.

The Study: Unveiling the Risks for Former College Athletes

Image representing the potential long-term neurological effects of concussions on former college football players, depicted through a surreal and symbolic composition.

Published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, the study by Kerr, Thomas, Simon, et al. investigated the association between a history of multiple concussions and health outcomes among former college football players. The research team followed participants for 15 years after their college careers ended, seeking to understand the potential long-term consequences of head trauma experienced on the field.

Researchers utilized a retrospective cohort study design, analyzing data collected from former NCAA football players who participated in the NCAA Concussion Study between 1999 and 2001. The study focused solely on athletes who did not pursue professional football careers to isolate the effects of college-level play.

Data Collection: Information was gathered using an online questionnaire adapted from the Retired NFL Players General Health Survey.
Concussion History: Participants self-reported their history of sports-related concussions (before and during college) and non-sports-related head injuries.
Health Outcomes: The questionnaire assessed physical and mental health using tools like the VR-36, PHQ-9 (depression screening), and CAGE (alcohol abuse screening).
Demographics: Researchers also collected data on age, ethnicity, BMI, and year of initial football participation.

Out of 2,905 potentially eligible players from 22 universities, the researchers obtained contact information for 1,383 athletes. Ultimately, 224 participants completed the questionnaire, forming a final study cohort of 204 former college football players meeting inclusion criteria.

The Bottom Line: Protecting Athletes Today and Tomorrow

This study highlights the potential long-term consequences of concussions in college football players, specifically demonstrating a link between repeated head trauma and increased risk of mental health issues later in life. It underscores the critical need for effective concussion prevention strategies, improved player safety measures, and comprehensive support systems for former athletes dealing with the lasting effects of their playing careers.

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Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is a concussion, and why is it a concern in college football?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change how the brain normally works. In the context of college football, concussions are a recognized risk due to the high-impact nature of the sport, often resulting from collisions and tackles. The significance lies in the potential for repeated concussions to lead to long-term neurological and psychological problems in athletes. A concussion is not always immediately obvious and may present with a variety of symptoms such as headache, confusion, memory problems, and dizziness.

What role does the NCAA play in addressing concussion risks in college football?

The NCAA, or National Collegiate Athletic Association, plays a critical role in college sports, including football. It sets rules and regulations aimed at protecting athletes. Specifically, the NCAA tracks concussions and conducts research to better understand the risks associated with head injuries in college sports. This is important because NCAA data helps inform strategies for concussion prevention, player safety measures, and support systems for athletes. Without the NCAA's involvement, consistent data collection and standardized protocols for managing concussions across different universities would be difficult to achieve.

What is a retrospective cohort study, and why was it used in this research?

A retrospective cohort study is a type of research study that looks back in time to examine the relationship between past exposures and current outcomes. In the mentioned study, researchers used a retrospective cohort study to analyze data collected from former NCAA football players who participated in the NCAA Concussion Study between 1999 and 2001. This method allowed them to investigate the potential long-term consequences of concussions experienced during their college football careers. The importance of this approach is that it provides insights into the health outcomes of former athletes over an extended period, which would be challenging to assess in real-time.

Can you explain what the VR-36, PHQ-9, and CAGE are and why they were used in the study?

The VR-36, PHQ-9, and CAGE are specific tools used in the study to assess different aspects of the former athletes' health. The VR-36 is a tool to assess physical and mental health, providing a comprehensive overview of the participants' overall well-being. The PHQ-9 is a depression screening tool, helping identify individuals who may be experiencing symptoms of depression. The CAGE questionnaire is used for alcohol abuse screening, assessing the risk of alcohol-related problems. The significance of these tools is that they provide standardized, validated methods for measuring health outcomes, enabling researchers to draw more reliable conclusions about the long-term effects of concussions.

What are the main findings of this study regarding concussions and long-term health in college football players?

The study highlights the connection between head trauma sustained during college football and the development of adverse health outcomes later in life. Specifically, it demonstrates a link between repeated concussions and an increased risk of mental health issues. These findings are important because they underscore the need for effective concussion prevention strategies, improved player safety measures, and comprehensive support systems for former athletes dealing with the lasting effects of their playing careers. Without such measures, former college football players may face significant challenges to their neurological and psychological well-being.