By: Kaitlyn Keyser, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS
Welcome to the League, What Happens Next?
Transitioning from college football to the professional level is a monumental leap. For many athletes, it’s not just a change in the level of competition, but a complete overhaul of their lives. The physical demands, mental pressures, and the shift from a structured college environment to a more independent professional one, create a unique set of challenges. As a physical therapist working with college athletes making this transition, as well as working with a professional sports team, I’ve seen firsthand how therapy extends beyond just physical rehabilitation. It’s about offering comprehensive support in every area to help them navigate this critical phase of their careers.
The Bigger Picture
When college football players step onto the professional field, they’re no longer competing with their peers—they’re up against the elite. The jump from college to professional football exposes them to players who are faster, stronger, and more experienced. This shift often results in two primary categories of injuries: the “stuff happens/trauma” injuries due to the sport, and overuse/dysfunction-related injuries.
“Stuff happens” injuries include contact ACL tears, bone fractures, and the inevitable bumps and bruises that come with the game. However, overuse injuries or ones in which there is dysfunction within a joint and or system in the body, such as non-contact ACL injuries, pelvic floor dysfunction, and or poor ground up loading of the body, often come from overuse, poor movement patterns, and or previous surgeries that may have occurred or started in college, and now are affecting their ability to sustain the demands of playing at the professional level. As a healthcare professional treating these athletes, it is my job to consider all factors. Why did that injury occur in college? Was their loading pattern incorrect? Were they over-exerting or was the volume too high when lifting? What are the current deficits we are working against? Are they now going to be transitioning positions or training several positions as they enter the NFL? What are their needs and goals as they transition into the league? To treat the whole patient, you must zoom out and consider the whole picture, and on the level of professional athletes, you must consider it is not a level playing field that athletes are entering physically, mentally, or emotionally.
Only One Constant: Change
One significant challenge athletes face is the drastic change in their physique from the end of college to the end of their first professional season, then again from their first to their second season. The added strength and body mass means that as a physical therapist, we need to have a reevaluation of movement patterns, loading techniques, and overall recovery. The volume of play also increases, from around 12 games per season in college, to 17 or more in the NFL—intensifying the physical strain on the athletes’ bodies.
Additionally, transitioning from a college coaching staff to managing their training and recovery independently can be daunting. While professional athletes technically work for an organization, they are, in essence, running their own business. They now need to manage relationships with agents, financial planners, nutritionists, and other professionals, all while staying on top of their physical and mental health. The pressure to maintain their “business” while dealing with the demands of professional sports is intense, requiring careful balancing of resources, time, and energy.
Health is Wealth, Mindset Included!
The mental shift from being a college athlete focused on education to a professional player whose primary goal is to perform for the organization is a lot to take in. The stakes are higher, and the pressure to succeed is intense. This pressure is compounded by the realization that the organization may prioritize financial gain over the well-being of its players. The knowledge that there’s always someone ready to take their spot can be a significant source of stress. It is the next man up mentality.
Not to mention, professional athletes must quickly adapt to a new way of life. They might find themselves in unstable living situations, frequently moving between teams and states, or dealing with the financial and emotional pressures of supporting their families. For some, the mental load becomes overwhelming, making it essential to have a supportive and understanding care team.
A Personalized Approach to Recovery in Physical Therapy
A key component of successful transitions is the customization of recovery programs. When an athlete moves from college to professional football, their entire routine—nutrition, sleep, and training—needs to be reassessed. Understanding the athlete’s specific circumstances, such as their access to proper gym facilities or their living situation, is crucial in crafting a recovery plan that meets their needs.
What factors are at play?
For instance, an athlete might be juggling multiple workouts across different locations in a single day. This could include multiple lifting sessions, field practices, and more. Without proper rest or nutrition, they could be at risk of injury. Open communication between the athlete and all the members of the athlete’s support team is crucial to prevent overtraining. Everyone must be in the loop and on the same page!
From the mental health perspective, as a physical therapist, it is our job to check in with the athletes and see from a true, and honest perspective how much they are training, what is working and what isn’t. It is also our job to proactively see where their dysfunction is coming from, so we can become better advocates for their health. Once we have that information, we can then make a structured, yet flexible, care plan for them so that on the days they are not feeling the best, the focus can be on recovery techniques such as mobility exercises or soft tissue work, rather than pushing them to their limit. A therapist’s role extends beyond just physical rehabilitation.
Establishing Trust and Open Communication
To provide proper care, an athlete must trust their team. To do this, we need to have a solid support system that is willing to listen to whatever concerns an athlete may have. True listening without judgement and having compassion. Regular check-ins help maintain that relationship, even after an athlete has moved on from their professional care. Our goal is to treat the athletes so they can achieve all the things they set out to achieve in the league, but at the end of the day, they are people just like us that deserve to be treated with respect and care. There will always be life after football, and we are preparing these men for that as well. So, when treating athletes at a high level, you must commit to providing high level care.
Work with Kaitlyn Keyser, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS at the Spooner Sports Institute. Learn more about Spooner Sports.