Becoming a pro athlete in the U.S. is no easy feat. Out of a population of 334 million, only a select few make the cut each year. According to the NCAA, the five major sports leagues (baseball, football, hockey, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball, soccer, and softball) have less than 1,300 draft picks combined annually. And for those lucky ones who make it, their career becomes all-consuming.
If you’re a professional athlete, all those years of training and competing can play into your sense of purpose. That work has been a part of you and your identity. So what happens when the game ends? How do you deal with the fading of the spotlight? Is there a way to regain vision and purpose in your life outside of your former career?
Life After Sports
It’s common for former pro athletes to struggle with a lack of structure as they transition from sports. The constant rhythm of training seems to disappear overnight. When you’re active in your career, you have everything scheduled for you. The when, where, and for how long is up to the team or institution, and you’re just along for the ride. You’re also used to a certain amount of attention from friends, fans — even the press; and the absence of this attention can be difficult to deal with in a post-athletic career.
Then comes the issue of finances. For those fortunate enough to become famous, retirement is a bit easier. Not only do well-known athletes have more earnings to save from higher salaries, it’s also easier to continue endorsement deals or carry on in the sports world as a TV or radio commentator. But most players? Not so much.
Living a high-profile lifestyle may have depleted financial resources, and without a steady income stream, maintaining that lifestyle can be challenging. This abrupt change can be particularly difficult for those unsure of how to transfer their skills to the business world. Adaptation is crucial during this career transition, and with foresight and financial planning, some players successfully invest in small businesses. According to the research website Small Business Trends, 23% of retired NFL players have become small business owners.
Beyond financial and structural changes, coping with retirement can take an emotional and psychological toll on former pro athletes. The transition from years in the spotlight to life after sports can bring about feelings of depression, uncertainty, and diminished life satisfaction, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Additionally, the transition from sports can lead to a profound identity crisis.
Coping With Retirement: An Identity Crisis
Many people tie their personal identity to their profession, and this connection is even stronger for pro athletes. For many, their chosen sport has been a significant part of their lives since childhood. From little league to college athletics and professional leagues, their achievements have shaped each phase of life. The dedication required to excel at the highest levels becomes a lifelong commitment, leading some to define themselves solely by their athletic careers.
However, when it’s time to retire, identity crisis that follows can be one of the greatest challenges athletes face. Colorado Springs’ The Gazette refers to this identity crisis as “one of the best-kept secrets in sport culture.” Researchers have even coined the term “identity foreclosure” to describe this widespread struggle.
What happens when this loss of identity occurs? After being defined by their athletic identity for most of their lives, some athletes may struggle to understand who they are or how they fit into the world once they stop playing their sport. According to Psychology of Sport and Exercise, this identity loss can undermine a former professional athlete’s sense of control and purpose, negatively impacting their health and emotional well-being. Accustomed to the structured rhythms of athletic conditioning and competition, retired pro athletes may find it difficult to pursue a new identity and life beyond sports, often feeling unprepared to embark on a different career path or take on additional family responsibilities.
After being defined by their athletic identity for most of their lives, some athletes may struggle to understand who they are or how they fit into the world once they stop playing their sport.
Athlete Retirement and Drug Addiction
Some famous athletes, such as Tiger Woods and Brett Favre, have been open about their struggles with addiction to opioids or other substances. The challenges extend to retired athletes as well. Decades of intense training can take a significant toll on the human body, compounded by numerous injuries sustained throughout a career. A study published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine found that over 25% of retired NFL players who were exposed to opioids during their active playing years reported using them within a month of the survey. Additionally, some athletes have admitted to developing addictions linked to the lasting impact of sports injuries and their treatment.
During a town hall panel on opioid abuse, retired quarterback Ray Lucas admitted to struggling with opioid addiction because he couldn’t afford neck surgery for a previous injury (the NFL provides retirees with only five years of health insurance). According to Forbes, the average salary across American professional sports leagues ranges from $300,000 to $6 million. While that may seem like a lot of money early in life, retiring in your 30s or 40s means that coverage runs out quickly, leaving you to secure a substantial policy that can meet your healthcare needs for decades to come.
Grieve, Heal, Create a Vision
If you’re an athlete nearing the end of your college or professional career, it’s important to grieve what you are losing. Saying goodbye to something that has consumed so much of your life and acknowledging those emotions is a vital part of the grieving process. Many people assume the stages of grief only apply when we lose someone we love, but that’s not the case. Losing something we love can trigger the same range of powerful emotions.
The Five Stages of Grief Are:
- Denial – In this initial stage of grief, you struggle to grasp the overwhelming reality of your loss, grappling with disbelief and the urge to isolate yourself from what has happened.
- Anger – As the reality of your loss sets in, feelings of anger and frustration emerge. You may begin questioning why this happened to you while navigating hurt and other difficult emotions.
- Bargaining – Feeling helpless, you attempt to negotiate with a higher power in hopes of finding relief and regaining a sense of control over the situation.
- Depression – The unavoidable weight of your loss takes hold, bringing intense feelings of sorrow and emptiness, often leading to withdrawal from others.
- Acceptance – Over time, you come to terms with the finality of your loss and begin adjusting to your new reality. As you move forward, you learn to coexist with both sadness and hope.
This is your chance to create a new dream for yourself — one that may or may not involve the sport where you once found success
Once you’ve fully grieved, you can embrace the exciting opportunity to reinvent yourself. Without the demanding schedule of training, practice, travel, and competition, you are free to explore new possibilities. This is your chance to create a new dream for yourself — one that may or may not involve the sport where you once found success.
Support for Athletes: Rediscover Purpose at The Meadows Malibu
Your transition from sports can be a difficult adjustment, presenting real challenges as you navigate your new identity. That’s why seeking professional support during this momentous transitional season is a wise decision. With the right help, you can learn to embrace the new opportunities for growth and fulfillment that await you in this next chapter of life.
If retiring from elite athletics or a professional sports career has led to deep grief, a loss of purpose, substance abuse, or depression, treatment may help you work through these challenges. The Meadows Malibu is a private, 12-bed facility equipped to support high-profile individuals like you during this difficult time, offering a customized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. We can help you develop the tools necessary for transformation and reinvention, so you can find healing, enhanced emotional well-being, and renewed purpose.
To learn more about our treatment program, contact us today.