Football Players Health Study at Harvard University

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Football Players Health Study at Harvard University

The Football Players Health Study at Harvard University is a series of initiatives that focus on player health: the whole player, the whole life.

The Football Players Health Study at Harvard University is a series of studies that focus on the whole player, the whole life.

05/19/2026

Our Current Research: Video Highlights

At Super Bowl LX, Rachel Grashow, PhD, director of epidemiological research initiatives presents an overview of our current research during our day-long event, "Hearts and Minds: Optimizing Health for NFL Players & Their Families" in San Francisco. Watch: https://playersstudy.me/abb

05/15/2026

Winning Team.

Our team of top-notice advisors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our study, informing our research and guiding us every step of the way. From family members to partners and spouses - and of course former NFL players themselves - we're grateful for our all-star winning team (including members from our very own study team). Read their names and details: https://footballplayershealth.harvard.edu/team/

05/13/2026

Safeguarding Mental Health for NFL Players

During Super Bowl 2026, we convened an important conversation about mental health in the former player community. Speakers: Rachel Grashow, PhD, Ciara Dockery, PhD, Takeo Spikes, and Ross Zafonte, DO (Moderator). Watch video: https://playersstudy.me/oh3

05/11/2026

This month, pay special attention to arthritis prevention.

Our research team has recently published several papers on arthritis, including one that examined data from 4,189 former NFL players who are participating in our study.

What we found: More than half of former players reported having arthritis, or knee or hip total joint replacement. These players tend to have more pain and reduced physical function, which makes it urgent to prevent and treat joint conditions.

Stay tuned for more findings from our research team on chronic pain and arthritis by Adam Tenforde, MD, and others. Read this paper and others on our Publications page: https://playersstudy.me/qfe

Contact us at info@footballplayershealth.harvard.edu to receive more information on pain & arthritis.

05/07/2026

How Often Should I Change my Running Shoes?

"Many factors can change how your shoes wear, including how old they are, your body weight, the surfaces you run on and even the humidity and temperature of your running environment," our co-investigator Adam Tenforde, MD, tells the New York Times.

"The standard advice to replace shoes every 300 to 500 miles can be a good general guideline." Read article: https://playersstudy.me/fd4

05/05/2026

Calling all former NFL Players

Join our study today -- for your health, the health of your former teammates, and for the players who are our future.

Help spread the word.

playersstudy.me/fphs

05/04/2026

5,000 strong and counting!

Growing our cohort means expanding our research.

We're thrilled to report that 5,000 former NFL players have joined our study. 👏 As the largest study of former NFL players, we continue to learn about the health of players over the course of their lifetime, publishing new research on heart and brain health, pain, sleep & more. ⁠

Learn more about us and ways to participate: playersstudy.me/abt

05/01/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month:

"Being mentally fit is different than being mentally tough. Being mentally fit — I go to counseling. It's not because I have anything that's necessarily going on in life. I look at it like I had a football coach, a mentor in sports broadcasting. So why would I not have a brain coach, a mental health coach?"

George Wrighster III, Player Advisor

04/28/2026

Anxiety is our body's natural response to stress.

Learn more about short- and long-term strategies, as well as red flags and when to seek out professional help: playersstudy.me/hu7

04/25/2026

“Not getting picked in the 1st or 2nd round, like expected, was crushing. It wasn’t until day two, after watching movies from Blockbuster all night and being home alone, did I get the call from the Raiders in the 6th round.”

Nolan Harrison, III
Former NFL Defensive Lineman - 1991-2000
Football Players Health Study Advisor

04/24/2026

"Draft day was a mix of emotions - excitement about being selected, fear of what's ahead, and anticipation of joining professional ranks. Still surreal in so many ways!”

Julius Thomas
Former NFL Tight End - 2011-2017
Football Players Health Study Advisor

Address

Countway Library/695 Huntington Avenue, Suite 659
Boston, MA
02115

Telephone

(617) 432-5000

Website

http://footballplayershealth.harvard.edu/

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