NFL Players Who Have Died on the Field
The collapse of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin from cardiac arrest during a game in early January 2023 brought renewed attention to the few NFL players who have tragically died on the field. While advancements in equipment, medical care and safety protocols have made player deaths increasingly rare, the risk remains.
This article examines NFL players who have died playing pro football throughout the league's history. It covers the causes, response, and measures taken following these devastating on-field fatalities.
Chuck Hughes - 1971
On October 24, 1971, Chuck Hughes of the Detroit Lions collapsed on the field during the final minutes of a game against the Chicago Bears. The 28-year-old wide receiver had just completed a route when he clutched his chest and fell to the ground.
Players and medical staff attempted resuscitation on the field before Hughes was taken to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead of a heart attack shortly after arrival. An autopsy determined that Hughes had severe artery blockages which resulted in cardiac arrest.
Hughes' death increased discussions around pro football players' cardiovascular health. It remains the only fatality from a heart issue sustained during an NFL game to date.
J.V. Cain - 1979
Eight years after Hughes' on-field death, tight end J.V. Cain of the St. Louis Cardinals collapsed during training camp on July 22, 1979. The 28-year-old was running pass routes when he dropped to the turf without contact.
Medical personnel discovered Cain had no pulse. After failed attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead from congenital heart disease. An autopsy revealed abnormal heart muscle structure that caused disruptions in his heart rhythm.
Cain's sudden cardiac death reinforced scrutiny of pro football players' underlying heart conditions following physical exertion.
Reggie Fleming - 1995
Former NHL and NFL player Reggie Fleming died at age 66 from cardiac arrest during a USA Old Timers hockey game on July 11, 1995. He collapsed on the bench between shifts.
Fleming had a history of heart disease and cardiac problems following his 11-year pro football career as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears and other teams in the 1960s. His on-ice fatality increased focus on cardiac risks for retired athletes with cardiovascular conditions.
Korey Stringer - 2001
On August 1, 2001, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer collapsed during training camp practice from exertional heatstroke. The 27-year-old experienced escalating symptoms of headache, nausea and disorientation before passing out.
Stringer was taken to the hospital where his body temperature reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite efforts to lower his temperature and treat organ damage, he died from multiple organ failure later that day.
Stringer's death prompted new heat illness prevention and treatment protocols at all levels of football. It remains one of the highest profile cases of fatal exertional heatstroke in sports.
Gaines Adams - 2010
Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams unexpectedly died at age 26 on January 17, 2010. Just hours earlier, he had complained to a teammate about his enlarged heart before losing consciousness.
Adams was taken to a South Carolina hospital where he was declared dead upon arrival. An autopsy determined the cause as cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart or cardiomyopathy. Adams had an underlying condition called Marfan syndrome which can enlarge the aorta.
His sudden passing was a reminder of hidden heart ailments that can claim young, elite athletes without warning.
Non-Fatal Recent On-Field Emergencies
While player deaths during games have been rare over the past decades, the NFL has experienced some high-profile health emergencies recently:
Damar Hamlin - 2023
In a January 2, 2023 game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after making a tackle in the first quarter. Medical personnel immediately began CPR before rushing the 24-year-old to the hospital.
Hamlin initially was in critical condition on a ventilator. After days of improvement, his breathing tube was removed. He continues recovering well, appearing able to communicate through writing.
Hamlin's collapse underscored the live-threatening nature of sudden cardiac arrest, even among seemingly healthy elite athletes. It prompted re-examination of NFL emergency medical procedures.
Tua Tagovailoa - 2022
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a frightening concussion during a September 29, 2022 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Just four days after being cleared from concussion protocol, he took a hard sack and hit his head violently on the turf.
Tagovailoa appeared disoriented with limb rigidity and fencing posture indicative of a traumatic brain injury. He was taken off the field on a stretcher and examined at a hospital before being discharged that night.
The incident called into question the NFL's concussion evaluation system. Tagovailoa missed multiple games while recovering from his head trauma.
Bills Player - 2022
On January 2, 2022, Buffalo Bills player Dane Jackson sustained a scary neck injury when his helmet collided with a teammate's thigh during a game. Jackson could not move his arms or legs initially.
He was carefully stabilized and transported off the field to a hospital. Jackson ultimately avoided major injury but the frightening incident highlighted risks of paralysis due to neck trauma in football.
Eric LeGrand - 2010
While not technically an NFL player yet, college football player Eric LeGrand suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury during a Rutgers University game in 2010. The 20-year-old defensive tackle collided headfirst with an opposing player while making a tackle.
LeGrand was paralyzed below the neck. Doctors characterized his spinal cord damage as incomplete, holding out hope he may regain some movement. His injury focused attention on preventing cervical spine trauma in football.
Factors in NFL Player Deaths
Looking at NFL's history, several factors tend to contribute to players dying during games, including:
Undiagnosed Cardiovascular Conditions
Many NFL deaths have resulted from sudden cardiac arrest or heart attacks caused by underlying cardiovascular conditions. Intense physical exertion can stress the heart and trigger lethal arrhythmias or events in those with pre-existing problems.
Enlarged Heart/Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
The enlarged hearts seen in football players like Gaines Adams increase risk of arrhythmia and cardiac arrest during intense activity. Underlying conditions like Marfan syndrome contribute to dangerous enlargement and dysfunction.
Commotio Cordis
Trauma to the chest wall that occurs in sports can disrupt the heart's rhythm resulting in sudden death. Called commotio cordis, blows around the precordial area prove especially dangerous if timed during a certain phase of heart beat.
Sickle Cell Trait
The rigors of pro football have been linked to death in athletes with the sickle cell trait. Strenuous activity can cause red blood cells to take on the risky sickled shape, clumping in blood vessels and starving organs of oxygen.
Exertional Heat Stroke
Soaring body temperatures coupled with insufficient cooling mechanisms during intense training and competition puts players at high risk of systemic failures from heat stroke.
Traumatic Head/Neck Injuries
The high impacts between large, fast players makes traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries a continual risk. Injury to critical areas of the brain or upper spinal cord can rapidly compromise breathing.
Steps to Prevent Player Deaths
While some factors remain unavoidable risks of the game, the NFL has taken many steps to enhance player health and safety including:
- Mandatory cardiovascular screening for new players
- Limits on contact practices to reduce blows
- Strict concussion evaluation and return-to-play protocols
- Injury surveillance tracking
- Rules against targeting/spearing with the helmet
- Ongoing safety-focused rule changes
- Medical personnel and equipment access at games and practices
- Heat stress monitors and emergency cooling methods
- Top-tier protective gear like helmets and mouthguards
Despite precautions, the risk of catastrophic injuries in the NFL remains. Continued vigilance and safety advances are critical to reduce preventable deaths and disabilities moving forward.
FAQs
How many NFL players have died on the field?
Very few NFL players have died directly on the field during a game or practice. Since 1971, only 5 players have suffered fatal health emergencies while playing including cardiac arrest and heat stroke.
What causes sudden death in young athletes?
In young athletes, the most common causes are sudden cardiac arrest from conditions like enlarged heart, arrhythmias, or commotio cordis. Heat stroke, head/neck trauma, and sickle cell trait can also cause sudden death during intense sports.
How do they remove deceased player from field?
If a player dies on the field, the body would be quickly covered and removed on a stretcher with dignity after the game is stopped. The stadium would empty quietly and the NFL would likely postpone or cancel the game.
Has a fan ever died at an NFL game?
Yes, there have been some rare instances of fans dying at NFL games, usually related to pre-existing health conditions. NFL stadiums are required to have medical teams and emergency plans in case of fan injuries or emergencies.
What is the NFL doing to prevent player deaths?
The NFL has implemented many health and safety measures including heart screening, concussion protocols, heat stroke monitors, medical access and emergency plans. But some risk remains inherent to pro football.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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