The Grim Reality: Deaths in College Football

College football, a sport celebrated for its athleticism, strategy, and fierce competition, also carries a somber undercurrent. While the game's inherent physicality leads to traumatic injuries, a significant number of player deaths stem from non-traumatic causes, particularly during training and conditioning sessions. This article delves into the multifaceted issue of college football player deaths, examining the leading causes, historical trends, and preventative measures.

A List of College Football Player Deaths

This is a list of players of gridiron football (American football and Canadian football) players who died while still on a team roster. Included are players in professional and college football who have died of any cause. For professional football players, the most common cause of death is vehicle crashes. For college players, the most common cause of death is in-game and practice injuries. Each player is listed with the team to which he was assigned at the time of his death, rather than the team with which he spent most of his career.

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Traumatic brain injury sustained during game vs.
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Understanding the Causes

Traumatic Injuries

The violent nature of football inevitably leads to injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries have historically been significant causes of death. Rule changes, particularly the outlawing of spearing (tackling with the head as the point of initial contact) in 1976, have drastically reduced the incidence of traumatic fatalities. However, these injuries remain a concern, highlighting the need for continued advancements in protective equipment and tackling techniques.

The list of players of gridiron football includes some deaths due to Traumatic brain injury sustained during game.

Non-Traumatic Fatalities: A Hidden Danger

While traumatic injuries are readily associated with football, non-traumatic deaths pose a less visible but equally serious threat. These deaths often occur during off-season conditioning and training sessions, driven by factors such as:

Exertional Heatstroke (EHS): EHS occurs when the body's cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed by intense physical activity, leading to a dangerous rise in body temperature. Factors like high humidity, inadequate hydration, and overly strenuous workouts contribute to this condition. The classic picture of fatal EHS is of a highly motivated individual who participates in badly organized training and exerts himself beyond his capability. The onus is on those conducting the training to manage the organizational factors of work-rest cycles, exercise intensities that match physical fitness, and training schedules that avoid the hottest hours of the day.
Exertional Collapse Associated with Sickle Cell Trait (ECAST): Individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT) typically live normal lives. However, intense physical exertion can cause their red blood cells to change shape, obstructing blood flow and leading to collapse. The NCAA began requiring schools to test for sickle cell trait in August 2010. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, although carrying the gene is benign, intense and sustained physical stress can cause red blood cells of those with the trait to change shape and reduce blood flow - similar to the red blood cells of people who suffer from sickle cell anemia.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA): Underlying heart conditions, often undiagnosed, can trigger sudden cardiac arrest during strenuous activity. All SCDs, save 1 November practice death in a noncontact drill, occurred during off-season workouts.
Other Medical Conditions: In some cases, pre-existing medical conditions, such as exercise-induced asthma, can contribute to fatal incidents during training.

The Derek Sheely Case

Derek Sheely, a 22-year-old fullback playing for Frostburg State University in Maryland, died on Sunday, a week after passing out during a routine practice. He did not have a heart condition or any other chronic disorder. Liz Medcalf, a spokeswoman for Frostburg State, said Sheely had been participating in “regular drills” with his teammates Aug. 22 when he began feeling woozy. He was first taken to the emergency room at Western Maryland Regional Medical Center in nearby Cumberland and was later transferred to the shock trauma center in Baltimore when the severity of the injury was recognized. He was listed in critical but stable condition last Wednesday after multiple operations, according to hospital officials.

Historical Trends and Statistics

Examining historical data reveals concerning trends in college football fatalities:

The Deadliest Era: The 1960s and early 1970s saw an average of 31 player deaths per year, primarily due to traumatic head and neck injuries.
Increased Risk for College Players: Studies have shown that male collegiate athletes are twice as likely to die a non-traumatic death compared to male high school athletes.
Year-Round Football and Increased Risk: The rise of year-round football training has been linked to an increased risk of non-traumatic deaths, particularly from SCA, EHS, and ECAST.
Disproportionate Impact on Division I: In conditioning, no other sport kills as does football…no level kills at the rate of NCAA football…no division kills more players than DI. Since 2000, the number of DI football players who have died during February conditioning alone (5 nontraumatic deaths) exceeds the 2 DI football players who died from direct trauma in 16 seasons of games, in-season practices, preseason practices, and spring practices.

The years 2000-2016 represent the age of year-round NCAA football and are the era of this review. The summary is 33 dead NCAA football players: 27 nontraumatic deaths and 6 traumatic deaths, a ratio of 4.5 nontraumatic deaths for every traumatic death.

Prevention and Mitigation Strategies

Addressing the issue of college football player deaths requires a multi-pronged approach, focusing on:

Enhanced Screening and Monitoring: Comprehensive pre-participation physical exams, including cardiac screening and sickle cell trait testing, are crucial for identifying athletes at risk. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, although carrying the gene is benign, intense and sustained physical stress can cause red blood cells of those with the trait to change shape and reduce blood flow - similar to the red blood cells of people who suffer from sickle cell anemia.
Acclimatization Protocols: Implementing gradual acclimatization programs to help athletes adjust to heat and humidity is essential, particularly during pre-season training.
Hydration and Nutrition: Educating athletes on proper hydration and nutrition strategies to optimize performance and prevent heat-related illnesses.
Work-Rest Ratios: Implementing appropriate work-rest cycles during training sessions to prevent overexertion and allow for adequate recovery. The workout before the lone asthma death called for 2160 yards of serial sprinting with a 1 : 1 work : rest ratio in approximately 12 minutes. The work : rest ratio in a football game is typically about 1 : 8 or 1 : 10. In a “hurry-up” offense, the ratio can drop to 1 : 4, but this pace is typically not sustained.
Strength and Conditioning Oversight: Ensuring that strength and conditioning coaches report to medical personnel rather than solely to the head coach, promoting a focus on player safety and well-being. However, Decker, a Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association board member, and Scott Bennett, the association’s president, said they were unaware of the NCAA recommendation that strength coaches report to medical staff.
Education and Awareness: Educating athletes, coaches, and medical staff on the signs and symptoms of heatstroke, ECAST, and other medical emergencies.
Emergency Action Plans: Developing and practicing comprehensive emergency action plans to ensure prompt and effective medical response in case of a player collapse.

The Role of the NCAA

The NCAA plays a critical role in setting safety standards and promoting best practices to protect college athletes. The NCAA did not start requiring schools to test for sickle cell trait until August 2010 as part of a wrongful death settlement on behalf of Rice University player Dale Lloyd II,, who died in 2006. However, some argue that the organization has not done enough to prioritize player health and safety over athletic performance. There have been no fatalities in Division I since 2018, but earlier this week a Division II player died during a preseason practice. The cause remains under investigation. “That’s sort of the next step. “We need to create enforceable protocols that have consequences when young people’s health is being compromised,” said Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J, in an interview with the Howard Center. “I just think there’s a lot more work to be done to really secure the safety of college athletes.When asked why the NCAA has not adopted a rule requiring strength and conditioning coaches to report to medical personnel, NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn said in a statement: “The catastrophic injury prevention policy is a framework endorsed by the Board of Governors and leading medical/sports medicine organizations in the country.

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Legal and Financial Implications

The deaths of college football players often lead to lawsuits alleging negligence and wrongful death. Since 2000, Division I institutions and their affiliated entities have paid more than $29.5 million to resolve 12 wrongful death and negligence lawsuits, including $3.5 million in January to McNair’s family. These legal battles highlight the significant financial and reputational risks associated with player fatalities.

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