Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Advisor

James Hibel

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the popular narrative concerning the retirement of National Football League (NFL) athletes and this narrative may be contributing to their retirement. Existing literature suggests that a retirement filled with difficulties and incompetence is likely for NFL athletes. The literature recounts narratives of suicide, shortcomings, financial irresponsibility, transitional issues, identity issues, discord in the family, and traumatic stress. However, few studies have touched on the construction of these narratives, and the ability of retired NFL players to maneuver between professional and post-professional identities, as opposed to being solely tied to their professional identity. This dissertation was intended to fill the gap in the literature by exploring an alternative narrative, one that may or may not draw on strengths already demonstrated during NFL playing years. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the lived experiences of retired NFL players. I used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a qualitative, phenomenological approach, as the methodology. IPA allows respect for each individual account while developing themes to help researchers better understand the phenomenon. The findings show NFL players as competent, resilient individuals, who, despite some struggles in retirement, have the ability to transmute athletic prowess into leadership and entrepreneurial, roles. The study highlighted these men as family men with long-lasting marriages and as attentive fathers. Mental Health Professionals, Marriage and Family Therapist, and educators can utilize the study to further their understanding when working with this population and retirees in general. Keywords: narrative, NFL, professional athletes, interpretative phenomenological analysis, social constructionism, identity, MFT

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