Abstract
Background:
A preexisting rotator cuff tear may affect the draft status and career performance of National Football League (NFL) players.
Hypothesis:
Preexisting rotator cuff tears decrease a player’s draft status, performance, and longevity in the NFL.
Study Design:
Retrospective cohort study.
Level of Evidence:
Level 3.
Methods:
Medical reports of prospective NFL players during the NFL Scouting Combine from 2003 to 2011 were evaluated to identify players with a previous rotator cuff tear. Athletes were matched to control draftees without documented shoulder pathology by age, position, year drafted, and round drafted. Career statistics and performance scores were calculated.
Results:
Between 2003 and 2011, 2965 consecutive athletes were evaluated. Forty-nine athletes had preexisting rotator cuff tears: 22 athletes underwent surgical intervention for their tear and 27 were treated nonoperatively. Those with a rotator cuff tear were significantly less likely to be drafted than those without a previous injury (55.1% vs 77.5%, P = 0.002). The 27 drafted athletes with preexisting rotator cuff tears started significantly fewer games (23.7 vs 43.0, P = 0.02) and played significantly fewer years (4.3 vs 5.7, P = 0.04) and significantly fewer games (47.1 vs 68.4, P = 0.04) than matched control athletes without rotator cuff tears.
Conclusion:
Athletes with a preexisting rotator cuff tear were less likely to be drafted and had decreased career longevity.
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