A study of retired NFL players finds a massive correlation between emotional intelligence skills and life success. 

Overview

Situation: Even though professional athletes have reached the pinnacle of “success,” many experience profound off-the-field troubles during – and especially after – their careers. “Despite the money and prestige of their pro football careers, athletes are facing serious challenges,”says retied NFL linebacker Marvin Smith.

Solution: Sportstech International partnered with Six Seconds to study a small cohort of retired NFL players and try to answer two questions: How successful are these retired professional athletes? and What predicts retired players’ success?

Results: While the study painted a troubling portrait of retired players’ lives in general, the results also showed a massive correlation between emotional intelligence skills and life success scores, which includes measurements of  financial health, physical and emotional wellbeing, relationship strength, and more.

Situation

By our culture’s standards, no one could be more “successful” than pro athletes. They are famous millionaires! But beneath that shiny exterior – the huge houses, fancy cars and abundant social media following – a much darker reality lurks. Many struggle to maintain positive relationships, deal with physical and mental health issues, addiction, and more. Research has found that NFL players are 4x as likely to be addicted to painkillers as the general population. Even more alarmingly, a 2009 report from Sports Illustrated found 78% of retired NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial duress within two years of retirement, despite their lofty salaries as players.