From the Stadium to the Scrubs
They once ran plays under bright stadium lights. Now they round on patients under fluorescent call lights. A growing number of former NFL players turned nurses are making a powerful nursing career change—trading touchdowns for trauma bays, helmets for hand-offs, and locker-room camaraderie for 12-hour shifts at the bedside.
The field changed; the fundamentals didn’t. The same grit, teamwork, and resilience that win championships are the qualities that now save lives in nursing.
Patrick Hill: From Titans Fullback to Registered Nurse
Former Tennessee Titans fullback Patrick Hill made headlines when he pivoted from football to healthcare. Inspired by his mother, a longtime nurse, Hill decided to follow her path after his athletic career was cut short by injury. He earned his master’s entry nursing degree from UCLA’s MECN program in 2016 and now works as an inpatient psychiatric nurse at UCLA Medical Center.
Hill’s story proves that purpose can evolve. The same determination that once fueled his drive on the field now fuels his compassion at the bedside—a reminder that serving others is the ultimate victory.
D’Brickashaw Ferguson: From NFL Veteran to Registered Nurse
Once a ten-season offensive tackle for the New York Jets and a three-time Pro-Bowler, D’Brickashaw Ferguson found a new calling after retirement. Influenced by his mother and grandmother—both nurses—he enrolled in Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Nursing, earning his degree in 2025. Ferguson now works for RWJBarnabas Health in New Jersey.
“When everyone does their job, the patient wins,” Ferguson told The New York Times.
Just as every football team depends on trust and timing, every nursing unit relies on collaboration and communication. Ferguson’s journey reminds us that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about reliability when it matters most.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: From Running Back to Nursing Student
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was inspired by the nurses who cared for his sister, who lives with muscular dystrophy. Those early experiences showed him the profound difference nurses make—and sparked his own desire to serve.
Currently enrolled in nursing school while still on the Chiefs’ roster, Edwards-Helaire says nursing represents far more than a second career; it’s a calling.
His story highlights how personal experiences often lead people to nursing, weaving empathy and purpose into professional excellence.
Chandler Brayboy: Practice Squad Wide Receiver to Nurse
Chandler Brayboy is currently catching passes on the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squads, but he’s also prepared to catch critically ill patients in the ER. He recently graduated from Elon School of Nursing’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing track, which enables students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field of study to earn their nursing degree in 16 months.
Chandler Brayboy’s passion for medicine was inspired by his grandfather’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. When his grandfather’s health began declining, Chandler was in high school. Doctors then were struggling to diagnose the problem. But after taking a health science class that covered Parkinson’s, Chandler recognized one of his grandfather’s symptoms as pill-rolling, a distinctive tremor of the hands and an early sign of Parkinson’s. Recognizing the signs and symptoms early is one of the many characteristics of bedside nurses who are the eyes and ears for doctors when they are not with the patient.
How Athletes Becoming Nurses Bring Teamwork and Resilience
At first glance, football and nursing seem worlds apart—but look deeper, and the parallels are undeniable. The transition from athlete to nurse proves that the core principles of performance and teamwork transcend industries:
- Teamwork & Communication — Just as a quarterback reads the field, a nurse anticipates needs and communicates clearly under pressure.
- Resilience & Recovery — Both professions demand stamina, mental strength, and the ability to recover after setbacks.
- Purpose Beyond the Spotlight — Athletes chase trophies; nurses chase healing. Both crave meaning and impact.
- Leadership Without Titles — True leaders motivate others quietly—whether in a locker room or at the nurses’ station.
These shared qualities show that nursing isn’t just a profession—it’s a team effort built on trust, timing, and purpose.
The Changing Face of Nursing: More Men, More Momentum
Nursing has long been a female-dominated field, but the tide is turning. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), men made up 11.2% of registered nurses in 2022, up from 9.4% in 2020. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that number climbed to 12.6% in 2023.
This shift reflects a cultural evolution: compassion isn’t gendered. The rise of men—especially athletes—entering nursing brings diversity, representation, and new perspectives on care, teamwork, and resilience.
Organizations such as the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) continue to promote mentorship, visibility, and inclusivity in the profession.
Lessons for Nurses, Educators, and Leaders
- Transferable Skills = Untapped Strengths
Many nurses bring unique backgrounds—athletics, military, coaching, parenting—that strengthen adaptability and critical thinking.
Ask yourself: What life skills do I use in nursing every day? How can I mentor others through them? - Prioritize Recovery, Not Just Resilience
Athletes know rest is essential to performance. Nurses can learn from that.
Build your own recovery plan: hydrate, decompress after critical events, and schedule regular “timeouts” from work to protect your mental health. - Representation Matters
Every athlete-turned-nurse story challenges stereotypes and reshapes the culture of healthcare. Their visibility inspires the next generation—especially men and minorities—to see nursing as a space where strength and compassion can coexist.
A Final Whistle
The journey from the end zone to the emergency zone isn’t just a clever play on words—it’s proof that purpose can take new forms.
Whether you’re climbing the clinical ladder, mentoring a new grad, or leading from the bedside, the same traits that drive success in sports—teamwork, focus, and adaptability—are the ones that sustain excellence in nursing.
So the next time you prep for your shift, remember: the playbook may change, but the principles remain the same—preparation, precision, and perseverance.
And who knows? The next nurse beside you might just be a former wide receiver making a different kind of touchdown.