Former All-Pro running back Doug Martin passed away on October 18, and the circumstances of his death have reignited concerns for the NFL’s lack of care for the mental health of former players.[1] According to his family, Martin had been experiencing a mental-health crisis: his parents called police for help after he left home in a disoriented state and entered a neighbor’s house two doors down.[2] Officers then detained him, and he became unresponsive while in police custody.[3]Investigators are reviewing whether chronic brain injuries played a role in Martin’s mental state at the time of his passing.[4]
Sadly, Martin’s mental health struggles are not unique. Notably, former Chargers linebacker Junior Seau died by suicide in 2012,[5] and Martin’s Buccaneers teammate, Vincent Jackson, died as a result of chronic alcohol use.[6] And, just last month, former Bengals running back Rudi Johnson died by suicide after an apparent struggle with mental-health issues.[7] These losses underscore the fact that the most dangerous football injuries may emerge after the player’s final snap. In fact, a 2025 survey of retired NFL players reported that nearly half of those surveyed had felt depressed in the past 12 months, doubling the typical rate among men aged 55 to 75.[8]
Arguably, this problem is caused in part by the nature of labor and antitrust law. Under the National Labor Relations Act, the NFLPA has a duty to represent current players, not former players, during CBA negotiations.[9] Thus, once a player retires, he no longer has a voice in bargaining discussions. Because of this distinction, current players enjoy a much more comprehensive mental health program than former players. Current players are supported by the required licensed behavioral health specialist at each facility, as well as mandated crisis-response protocols.[10] On the other hand, former players must rely on external networks of individually arranged care (supplemented by certain voluntary player care funds).
To its credit, the NFL has paid enormous sums to address long-term harm. Following years of litigation, the league agreed to a historic settlement exceeding $1 billion that, in part, compensated retired players diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases acquired in connection with concussions.[11] But, the focus of that settlement was primarily physical health, not mental health. And, the settlement was achieved through class-action litigation rather than collective bargaining, highlighting the tough road that former players face when seeking a remedy.
Other similarly affected major leagues have started responding more affirmatively to the former player mental health crisis. Last month, the NHL and the NHLPA established a $4 million annual fund as part of its CBA, guaranteeing mental-health and primary-care access for retired players.[12] All of this momentum begs the question of whether the NFL will follow the NHL’s lead. But, because neither the NFL nor the NFLPA truly represent former players at the negotiating table, neither party seems incentivized to make such a deal.
[1] Ex-RB Doug Martin died in custody after break-in, police say, ESPN (Oct. 20, 2025).
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Frances Wang, Brain of ex-NFL player Doug Martin reportedly to be tested for CTE following in-custody death, Yahoo! News (Oct. 22, 2025).
[5] Junior Seau Diagnosed With Disease Caused by Hits to Head: Exclusive, ABC News (Jan. 9, 2013).
[6] Jenna Laine, Vincent Jackson died from chronic alcohol use, medical examiner says, ESPN (Dec. 22, 2021).
[7] David K. Li & Lilia Wood, Rudi Johnson, former Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl running back, dies, apparently by suicide, at 45, NBC News (Sep. 23, 2025).
[8] Survey: Most NFL retirees would play again despite costs, ESPN (Aug. 16, 2025).
[9] 29 U.S.C. § 159(a).
[10] Article 39, Players’ Rights to Medical Care and Treatment, 2020 NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
[11] Jason M. Breslow, NFL Concussion Settlement Wins Final Approval from Judge, Frontline (Apr. 22, 2015).
[12] Stephen Whyno, NHL CBA establishes a $4M annual fund for retired players’ health care and wellness, AP (Sep. 9, 2025).
Leave a Reply