What is NFL Q5? It's creating quite a bit of buzz throughout the league and has everyone from the Commissioner to Pro Bowlers to the U.S. Surgeon General all talking.
What are they talking about? In a word: wellness. But this is not your typical approach to heath and wellness.
NFL Q5 is a comprehensive new initiative from NFL Total Wellness that is designed to support players and their families outside of football—in the fifth quarter—when there are no bright lights, screaming fans or coaches calling the plays. It centers on four critical areas of strength: physical, emotional, personal and financial.
Physical strength. This area focuses on changing old behaviors and beliefs—challenging athletes to rethink what they eat, how they train—so that they can avoid chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Emotional strength. This area focuses on providing tools and support services that will not only assist players navigate through the highs and lows of the game, but also deal with the everyday pressures of life—from building healthy relationships to raising a family.
Personal strength. This area focuses onstaying true to what it means to be a professional athlete, as well as a father, a husband, a role model in the community. The emphasis is on defining strong personal character and maintaining perspective.
Financial strength. This area includes tools for managing money responsibly at all stages of life—because preparing a player for the financial rewards of the game is every bit as important as preparing them for the next big game.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: “There is no higher priority for the National Football League than the health and wellness of our players. Members of our community are not immune to the challenges that all individuals face. As we enter what promises to be a very exciting season, we stand by our commitment to the total wellness of our current and former players. This service is here for you.”
NFL Q5 is one big training camp for life. And it's open all season long, so active players, their families, and retired players can always find what they need. It's a whole new kind of wellness. Gritty, powerful and real. Just like this game. Check it out.