Resources for Current Players
NFL Player Engagement: provides current players with personal and professional development resources, while supporting and educating players' families to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to them by their NFL experience. Visit Life, Player Engagement's page for current NFL players, for more information.
NFL Total Wellness: a comprehensive resource that helps NFL Family members succeed in all areas of life. Topics include healthy relationships, financial responsibility, and a smooth transition from the NFL to a new career or calling. By taking advantage of the NFL Total Wellness resources, current players can ensure that they stay healthy, on and off the field.
NFL Player Assistance and Counseling Service: Players and their family members can call (800) 635-4625 to get access to the NFL Player Assistance and Counseling Service. Eligible current and former players can receive up to eight free counseling sessions and referrals for child care and elder care resources, financial and legal assistance, and other support.
NFL Continuing Education Program (CEP): helps current NFL players finish their undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees. The program works with schools to allow players to conveniently study in their club city and become better prepared for life after football.
Resources for Former Players
The NFL is committed to the well-being of its players, including those who are no longer playing in the league, and offers numerous resources for eligible vested players:
Health Services: The Former Player Life Improvement Plan provides several programs and benefits for eligible retired players. Benefits include joint replacement support, Medicare supplements, neurological care, spine treatment, assisted living facilities, a prescription drug card, and more. Other services include cardiovascular and prostate screenings, long-term care insurance, and more.
NFL Player Engagement: offers resources to support former players as they transition to a life after football. The services provided by NFL Player Engagement can guide a vested player through his "next steps" and foster both personal and professional growth. Visit Next, Player Engagement's page for former NFL players, for more information.
NFL Total Wellness: a valuable set of services and resources to help former players and their families stay healthy physically, emotionally, and financially. With information on chronic diseases, maintaining fulfilling relationships, and tips for managing your health, NFL Total Wellness can keep former players living well long after they've left the game.
NFL Player Assistance and Counseling Service: provides vested NFL players with support and assistance across all parts of life, including child care, legal and financial assistance, and confidential counseling services (players and their household members are afforded up to eight face-to-face sessions with a counselor at no cost). Players and their family members can call (800) 635-4625 to get access to the NFL Player Assistance and Counseling Service.
Pensions and Disabilities: The NFL provides financial benefits to eligible players based on medical or mental health conditions. Monthly pension benefits are also available to eligible players who reach retirement age. For more information call (800) 638-3186.
NFL Players Association: offers financial guidance, legal support, and health and wellness programs to current and former players and the NFL community.
NFL Player Care Foundation: provides charitable grants to qualified former players experiencing financial hardship. The PCF also supports the cardiovascular and prostate screenings.
Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Fund: provides former professional and amateur football players with financial assistance in times of crisis. The fund was created by the Professional Athletes Foundation, which oversees all of its funding.
Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund: a charity founded by former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka. The foundation provides medical and financial assistance to retired players, and its services include medical evaluations, housing assistance, and coordination of food services.
Learn more about programs and benefits for players.