NFL Speaks is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to call attention to the needs of an at-risk population of male athletes who participate in professional contact sports. 

In February of 2012 NFL Speaks started a conversation about the under-served population of retired NFL athletes.  This led to a strategic plan to identify and organize a volunteer workforce of behavioral health professionals to serve as navigators for these athletes who would either not identify themselves as needing mental health services or had difficulty accessing services withing their communities.

Drawing from the combined skill set of our co-founders, a navigation model was created to assist in overcoming possible barriers to receiving care and to increase active participation in the care provided. 

These navigators offered a pathway for change by assisting in coordination of care across health and behavioral health delivery systems.  As a result, these men become more active in the care they were receiving. 

We started this conversation over six years ago with retired NFL players.  Our passion for raising the awareness of this silent population of retired NFL athletes has gone beyond these players and now includes all male athletes who participate in contact sports.  It also includes their significant partners, families and loved ones. 

If you are an active or retired professional athlete, and you need confidential assistance, come talk with us.