SEPTEMBER FEATURE
SLEEP & RECOVERY
BY THE NUMBERS
A companion to “Recovery Never Sleeps,” NFL Alumni Health September Feature
69%
of former NFL players may have undiagnosed sleep apnea
Just 32% of players in the study had been formally diagnosed – screening suggests the true number is more than double that.
Source: Football Players Health Study at Harvard University, with Vanderbilt Health – Neurology, 2026 (nearly 2,000 former players)
7-9 hours
is the recommended nightly sleep for adults – the foundation Dr. Wells says everything else builds on
Untreated sleep apnea raises risk of…
heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and depression
No overnight lab required
Today’s telemedicine visits and FDA-cleared home sleep tests can screen for apnea from your own bed.
Talk to your doctor about a sleep evaluation.
Free Healthy Body & Mind screenings – including sleep apnea risk – are available through the NFL Player Care Foundation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition, and it is not a substitute for professional medical consultation. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical questions or conditions.
Highlights from the September 2026 Newsletter:
- Recovery Never Retires: The Hidden Power of Sleep After Football
- NFL Legends Share a Common Challenge
- Sleep & Recovery: By The Numbers
- Inside the Huddle with Dr. Audrey Wells
- Could You Have Sleep Apnea? A Self Assessment
- Resources for Former NFL Players
- September is Healthy Aging Month
- The Fall Reset
- JOIN THE HUDDLE: Free Newsletter Sign-Up
SEPTEMBER FEATURE
SLEEP & RECOVERY
BY THE NUMBERS
A companion to “Recovery Never Sleeps,” NFL Alumni Health September Feature
69%
of former NFL players may have undiagnosed sleep apnea
Just 32% of players in the study had been formally diagnosed – screening suggests the true number is more than double that.
Source: Football Players Health Study at Harvard University, with Vanderbilt Health – Neurology, 2026 (nearly 2,000 former players)
7-9 hours
is the recommended nightly sleep for adults – the foundation Dr. Wells says everything else builds on
Untreated sleep apnea raises risk of…
heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and depression
No overnight lab required
Today’s telemedicine visits and FDA-cleared home sleep tests can screen for apnea from your own bed.
Talk to your doctor about a sleep evaluation.
Free Healthy Body & Mind screenings – including sleep apnea risk – are available through the NFL Player Care Foundation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition, and it is not a substitute for professional medical consultation. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical questions or conditions.
Highlights from the September 2026 Newsletter:
- Recovery Never Retires: The Hidden Power of Sleep After Football
- NFL Legends Share a Common Challenge
- Sleep & Recovery: By The Numbers
- Inside the Huddle with Dr. Audrey Wells
- Could You Have Sleep Apnea? A Self Assessment
- Resources for Former NFL Players
- September is Healthy Aging Month
- The Fall Reset
- JOIN THE HUDDLE: Free Newsletter Sign-Up
