When the Game Ends: Identity Crisis in Retired NCAA and Professional Athletes
For many athletes, sports aren’t just what they do—they’re who they are. From the moment they lace up their cleats or step onto the court, their identity becomes deeply intertwined with their sport. But what happens when it ends? Whether due to graduation, injury, deselection, or retirement, the sudden loss of athletic identity can cause psychological upheaval, known as "athletic identity foreclosure" or an identity crisis. I wanted to see how athletes at both the NCAA and professional level struggle with identity after sport, and see if there are ways to help.
Understanding Athletic Identity
Athletic Identity Defined: Athletic identity refers to the extent to which individuals define themselves through the athlete role (Brewer, Van Raalte & Linder, 1993). This identity is often reinforced by social approval, structured schedules, and consistent performance evaluations.
Foreclosure Risk: Athletes who strongly identify only with their sport and do not cultivate other personal or professional identities are at high risk of identity foreclosure. This can hinder their ability to cope when their sports career ends, leading to emotional instability and loss of direction (Lally, 2007).
NCAA Athletes: Transition After College
For most NCAA athletes, college marks the end of competitive sports, with less than 2% advancing to professional levels (NCAA, 2023). The sudden stop of structured training, team dynamics, and athlete status can be eye opening.
A 2019 study revealed that 67% of former college athletes struggled with emotional distress and a diminished sense of self-worth after graduation (Martin et al., 2019). These athletes reported feeling lost without the routines and goals that defined their lives for years.
Psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and loss of purpose are common during the transition (Park et al., 2013). The adjustment can be more difficult when athletes lack pre-existing coping strategies or alternative career goals.
Research indicates that female athletes, especially those in team sports, often experience deeper emotional impacts due to strong interpersonal bonds and the social reinforcement found in those settings (Stephan et al., 2003).
Athletes in high-profile sports such as football and basketball face greater challenges post-college due to increased media attention, fan followings, and identity entrenchment, making the separation more painful (Torregrosa et al., 2004).
Professional Athletes: Life After the Limelight
The lifespan of a professional sports career is relatively short, typically lasting only 3 to 6 years, depending on the sport (NFLPA, 2022). The sudden shift from public admiration to anonymity can lead to existential questioning.
A joint study by the NCAA and NFLPA found that 35% of retired NFL players reported experiencing moderate to severe depression post-retirement (Guskiewicz et al., 2007), highlighting the toll of identity loss.
Former MLB players have shared experiences of struggling to establish a post-career identity, particularly in the absence of routine, social camaraderie, and performance-driven purpose (Reardon, 2021).
Many professional athletes do not receive adequate preparation for retirement. Programs aimed at financial literacy, skill development, or post-career planning are often under-promoted or perceived as unnecessary during active years (Stambulova et al., 2009).
Athletes forced into early retirement due to injury report especially profound identity disruptions. The abrupt and involuntary nature of this transition heightens feelings of helplessness and grief (Alfermann et al., 2004).
Psychological Impacts of Athletic Retirement
Loss of Structure: Athletes often go from tightly managed daily schedules and long-term performance planning to an unscheduled, uncertain routine. This transition can feel disorienting and destabilizing.
Isolation: The sports environment provides a built-in social system of teammates, coaches, and support staff. When this dissolves, athletes may experience social withdrawal and loneliness.
Self-Esteem and Purpose: Without consistent validation through performance and accolades, many former athletes struggle to maintain a sense of self-worth. Their sense of purpose, previously driven by goals and competition, may feel void (Lavallee & Robinson, 2007).
Maladaptive Coping: When faced with emotional discomfort and identity confusion, some athletes turn to substance use, escapism, or denial, further delaying healthy recovery and adjustment (Giannone et al., 2017).
Science-Backed Interventions and Solutions
Career Planning During Competition: Initiatives like the NCAA’s Life Skills program, which provide dual-career support and future-focused planning, significantly improve long-term mental health outcomes (Torregrosa et al., 2015).
Mental Health Support: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and identity exploration strategies have shown efficacy in helping athletes process their transition and rebuild self-concept (Cosh et al., 2013).
Peer Mentorship: Structured mentorship by retired athletes can normalize the transition experience, decrease stigma around emotional struggles, and provide personalized coping guidance (Wylleman et al., 2012).
Post-Career Education: Institutions that support ongoing education and vocational training create a bridge to new identities, helping athletes visualize and pursue meaningful futures outside of sport (Knights et al., 2016).
Holistic Identity Building: Encouraging athletes to develop and invest in multiple aspects of identity—such as academics, creative pursuits, or relationships—acts as a buffer against identity foreclosure and emotional collapse (Brewer & Petitpas, 2017).
My Thoughts
While the journey of sport is often glorious, the end can feel like a personal loss. NCAA and professional athletes alike face identity crises that can disrupt their mental health, careers, and relationships. But this doesn’t have to be the end of the story. With early preparation, targeted support systems, and greater cultural awareness, athletes can transition from the game to life with purpose, strength, and a redefined sense of self.
References
Brewer, B. W., Van Raalte, J. L., & Linder, D. E. (1993). Athletic identity: Hercules’ muscles or Achilles heel? International Journal of Sport Psychology.
Lally, P. (2007). Identity and athletic retirement: A prospective study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Martin, L. A., Fogarty, G. J., & Albion, M. J. (2019). Changes in athletic identity and life satisfaction of elite athletes as a function of retirement status. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.
Park, S., Lavallee, D., & Tod, D. (2013). Athletes' career transition out of sport: A systematic review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Stephan, Y., Bilard, J., Ninot, G., & Delignières, D. (2003). Repercussions of transition out of elite sport on subjective well-being: A one-year study. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.
Torregrosa, M., Ramis, Y., Pallarés, S., Azócar, F., & Selva, C. (2015). Olympic athletes back to retirement: A qualitative longitudinal study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Guskiewicz, K. M., et al. (2007). Recurrent concussion and risk of depression in retired professional football players. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Reardon, C. L. (2021). The mental health of retired professional baseball players. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine.
Stambulova, N., Alfermann, D., Statler, T., & Côté, J. (2009). ISSP position stand: Career development and transitions of athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Alfermann, D., Stambulova, N., & Zemaityte, A. (2004). Reactions to sport career termination: A cross-national comparison of German, Lithuanian, and Russian athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Lavallee, D., & Robinson, H. K. (2007). In pursuit of an identity: A qualitative exploration of retirement from women’s artistic gymnastics. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Giannone, Z. A., Haney, C. J., Kealy, D., & Ogrodniczuk, J. S. (2017). Athletic identity and psychiatric symptoms following retirement from varsity sports. International Journal of Social Psychiatry.
Knights, S., Sherry, E., & Ruddock-Hudson, M. (2016). Investigating elite end-of-athletic-career transition: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.
Brewer, B. W., & Petitpas, A. J. (2017). Athletic identity foreclosure. Current Opinion in Psychology.For many athletes, sports aren’t just what they do—they’re who they are. From the moment they lace up their cleats or step onto the court, their identity becomes deeply intertwined with their sport. But what happens when it ends? Whether due to graduation, injury, deselection, or retirement, the sudden loss of athletic identity can cause psychological upheaval, known as "athletic identity foreclosure" or an identity crisis. I wanted to see how athletes at both the NCAA and professional level struggle with identity after sport, and see if there are ways to help.
Understanding Athletic Identity
Athletic Identity Defined: Athletic identity refers to the extent to which individuals define themselves through the athlete role (Brewer, Van Raalte & Linder, 1993). This identity is often reinforced by social approval, structured schedules, and consistent performance evaluations.
Foreclosure Risk: Athletes who strongly identify only with their sport and do not cultivate other personal or professional identities are at high risk of identity foreclosure. This can hinder their ability to cope when their sports career ends, leading to emotional instability and loss of direction (Lally, 2007).
NCAA Athletes: Transition After College
For most NCAA athletes, college marks the end of competitive sports, with less than 2% advancing to professional levels (NCAA, 2023). The sudden stop of structured training, team dynamics, and athlete status can be eye opening.
A 2019 study revealed that 67% of former college athletes struggled with emotional distress and a diminished sense of self-worth after graduation (Martin et al., 2019). These athletes reported feeling lost without the routines and goals that defined their lives for years.
Psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and loss of purpose are common during the transition (Park et al., 2013). The adjustment can be more difficult when athletes lack pre-existing coping strategies or alternative career goals.
Research indicates that female athletes, especially those in team sports, often experience deeper emotional impacts due to strong interpersonal bonds and the social reinforcement found in those settings (Stephan et al., 2003).
Athletes in high-profile sports such as football and basketball face greater challenges post-college due to increased media attention, fan followings, and identity entrenchment, making the separation more painful (Torregrosa et al., 2004).
Professional Athletes: Life After the Limelight
The lifespan of a professional sports career is relatively short, typically lasting only 3 to 6 years, depending on the sport (NFLPA, 2022). The sudden shift from public admiration to anonymity can lead to existential questioning.
A joint study by the NCAA and NFLPA found that 35% of retired NFL players reported experiencing moderate to severe depression post-retirement (Guskiewicz et al., 2007), highlighting the toll of identity loss.
Former MLB players have shared experiences of struggling to establish a post-career identity, particularly in the absence of routine, social camaraderie, and performance-driven purpose (Reardon, 2021).
Many professional athletes do not receive adequate preparation for retirement. Programs aimed at financial literacy, skill development, or post-career planning are often under-promoted or perceived as unnecessary during active years (Stambulova et al., 2009).
Athletes forced into early retirement due to injury report especially profound identity disruptions. The abrupt and involuntary nature of this transition heightens feelings of helplessness and grief (Alfermann et al., 2004).
Psychological Impacts of Athletic Retirement
Loss of Structure: Athletes often go from tightly managed daily schedules and long-term performance planning to an unscheduled, uncertain routine. This transition can feel disorienting and destabilizing.
Isolation: The sports environment provides a built-in social system of teammates, coaches, and support staff. When this dissolves, athletes may experience social withdrawal and loneliness.
Self-Esteem and Purpose: Without consistent validation through performance and accolades, many former athletes struggle to maintain a sense of self-worth. Their sense of purpose, previously driven by goals and competition, may feel void (Lavallee & Robinson, 2007).
Maladaptive Coping: When faced with emotional discomfort and identity confusion, some athletes turn to substance use, escapism, or denial, further delaying healthy recovery and adjustment (Giannone et al., 2017).
Science-Backed Interventions and Solutions
Career Planning During Competition: Initiatives like the NCAA’s Life Skills program, which provide dual-career support and future-focused planning, significantly improve long-term mental health outcomes (Torregrosa et al., 2015).
Mental Health Support: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and identity exploration strategies have shown efficacy in helping athletes process their transition and rebuild self-concept (Cosh et al., 2013).
Peer Mentorship: Structured mentorship by retired athletes can normalize the transition experience, decrease stigma around emotional struggles, and provide personalized coping guidance (Wylleman et al., 2012).
Post-Career Education: Institutions that support ongoing education and vocational training create a bridge to new identities, helping athletes visualize and pursue meaningful futures outside of sport (Knights et al., 2016).
Holistic Identity Building: Encouraging athletes to develop and invest in multiple aspects of identity—such as academics, creative pursuits, or relationships—acts as a buffer against identity foreclosure and emotional collapse (Brewer & Petitpas, 2017).
My Thoughts
While the journey of sport is often glorious, the end can feel like a personal loss. NCAA and professional athletes alike face identity crises that can disrupt their mental health, careers, and relationships. But this doesn’t have to be the end of the story. With early preparation, targeted support systems, and greater cultural awareness, athletes can transition from the game to life with purpose, strength, and a redefined sense of self.
References
Brewer, B. W., Van Raalte, J. L., & Linder, D. E. (1993). Athletic identity: Hercules’ muscles or Achilles heel? International Journal of Sport Psychology.
Lally, P. (2007). Identity and athletic retirement: A prospective study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Martin, L. A., Fogarty, G. J., & Albion, M. J. (2019). Changes in athletic identity and life satisfaction of elite athletes as a function of retirement status. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.
Park, S., Lavallee, D., & Tod, D. (2013). Athletes' career transition out of sport: A systematic review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Stephan, Y., Bilard, J., Ninot, G., & Delignières, D. (2003). Repercussions of transition out of elite sport on subjective well-being: A one-year study. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.
Torregrosa, M., Ramis, Y., Pallarés, S., Azócar, F., & Selva, C. (2015). Olympic athletes back to retirement: A qualitative longitudinal study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Guskiewicz, K. M., et al. (2007). Recurrent concussion and risk of depression in retired professional football players. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Reardon, C. L. (2021). The mental health of retired professional baseball players. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine.
Stambulova, N., Alfermann, D., Statler, T., & Côté, J. (2009). ISSP position stand: Career development and transitions of athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Alfermann, D., Stambulova, N., & Zemaityte, A. (2004). Reactions to sport career termination: A cross-national comparison of German, Lithuanian, and Russian athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Lavallee, D., & Robinson, H. K. (2007). In pursuit of an identity: A qualitative exploration of retirement from women’s artistic gymnastics. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Giannone, Z. A., Haney, C. J., Kealy, D., & Ogrodniczuk, J. S. (2017). Athletic identity and psychiatric symptoms following retirement from varsity sports. International Journal of Social Psychiatry.
Knights, S., Sherry, E., & Ruddock-Hudson, M. (2016). Investigating elite end-of-athletic-career transition: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.
Brewer, B. W., & Petitpas, A. J. (2017). Athletic identity foreclosure. Current Opinion in Psychology.