What happens when NFL giants trade roaring stadiums for whispered hospital corridors? The answer is a second act so unexpected, it’s making headlines.
Story Snapshot
- Former NFL stars are becoming nurses, swapping playbooks for patient charts.
- D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are leading this unlikely transition.
- Personal health experiences and family inspiration drive their career pivots.
- This movement is changing public perceptions about nursing and athlete retirement.
From Gridiron Glory to Hospital Halls
D’Brickashaw Ferguson, once the anchor of the New York Jets offensive line, is now charting a new path in nursing. After retiring in 2016, Ferguson shocked fans in 2023 by announcing his enrollment in nursing school. His journey to healthcare came full circle in 2024, when he began his career as a nurse. Ferguson attributes his motivation to his childhood surgery, which left a lasting impression of the compassion and skill nurses bring to healing. For Ferguson, chasing fulfillment after football meant finding a career where impact is measured in lives touched, not yards gained.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the Kansas City Chiefs running back, is balancing NFL stardom with a rigorous nursing curriculum. Inspired by a family deeply rooted in healthcare, Edwards-Helaire started his nursing studies in college and continues to pursue them while still active on the field. He has spoken openly about the passion he feels for nursing, emphasizing that the discipline and teamwork learned on the field translate seamlessly into patient care.
Some N.F.L. Players Are Finding Second Careers as Nurses – The New York Times https://t.co/48cHFtEQmu #NFL
— Go Team Sports Network (@GoTeamSportsNet) October 19, 2025
The Motivations Behind the Transition
Personal health experiences are at the heart of these career shifts. Ferguson’s exposure to the healthcare world as a child and Edwards-Helaire’s family ties create a bridge from the adrenaline of the gridiron to the empathy of the hospital ward. Both athletes describe nursing as a calling that fulfills their desire to give back, drawing on the resilience and discipline honed during their sports careers. The NFL, with its growing emphasis on player health, has become a surprising incubator for second-career healthcare professionals, offering resources and support for athletes looking to reinvent themselves.
Nursing schools and healthcare institutions are welcoming these athletes, recognizing the unique perspectives and skills they bring: composure under pressure, teamwork, and a drive to excel. The transition is not without its hurdles—nursing demands emotional intelligence, adaptability, and relentless dedication. Yet, Ferguson and Edwards-Helaire’s stories suggest that the skills cultivated in professional sports can be powerfully leveraged in healing professions.
Ripple Effects: Changing Perceptions and Creating Opportunity
As news of Ferguson and Edwards-Helaire’s career choices spreads, public perception of nursing is evolving. Once seen as a traditional or unglamorous path, nursing is now getting a visibility boost from high-profile athlete endorsements. The short-term effect is increased interest among athletes and fans in healthcare careers. Long-term, the movement could enrich the healthcare workforce with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and a new level of respect for nursing’s rigor and impact.
Stakeholders from the NFL to nursing schools are taking notice. Teams benefit from promoting player well-being and career longevity, while healthcare institutions gain ambassadors who can bridge gaps between sports and medicine. Communities stand to benefit from an influx of dedicated healthcare professionals who know the value of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership.
Sources:
AJC: Former NFL player D’Brick enrolls in nursing school
Nurse.org: NFL player attends nursing school
WI Center for Nursing: KC Chiefs player studying to become RN
UVA News: Nurse D’Brickashaw—How UVA Football Giant Is Conquering His Next Act
Commanders.com: Tom VanDruff is blazing a trail as the first full-time nurse practitioner on an NFL team
Nursing CE Central: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
