Are Football Players Too Fat?

For some positions, bigger is better for the game – but not necessarily for long-term health. 

"On the other hand, being a heavy professional football player comes with considerable long-term health risks – outside of head injuries. While some research shows that NFL players live longer than the average American male, players with BMIs of 30 or more (considered obese) have double the risk of dying from heart disease. Even people like Brown whose weight is more muscle than ​fat ​​can face associated health issues such as arthritis and other joint problems, according to a 2009 University of Michigan​ report ​on retired NFL players."