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Running the Risk of an Injury in the NFL: Short-Run and Career Consequences

Author

Listed:
  • Keefer, Quinn

    (California State University San Marcos)

  • Kniesner, Thomas J.

    (Claremont Graduate University)

Abstract

Similar to other workers in industrial settings NFL running backs can choose to provide additional work effort with possible negative health consequences. We find that the most informative measure for running backs is yards gained after contact, which not only increases total rushing yards but also increases injuries that can cause subsequent lost income due to future games missed. We econometrically examine the decisions running backs reveal in trading off injury risk against total yards gained and salary in the short run and how the tradeoff appears in the longer run where career length considerations come into play. Our estimates reveal subtle nonlinearities and interpersonal heterogeneity in risky effort and the associated short and long run injury risk and economic payoffs.

Suggested Citation

  • Keefer, Quinn & Kniesner, Thomas J., 2019. "Running the Risk of an Injury in the NFL: Short-Run and Career Consequences," IZA Discussion Papers 12556, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12556
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas J. Kniesner & John D. Leeth, 2004. "Data Mining Mining Data: MSHA Enforcement Efforts, Underground Coal Mine Safety, and New Health Policy Implications," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 83-111, September.
    2. W. Kip Viscusi, 2004. "The Value of Life: Estimates with Risks by Occupation and Industry," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 42(1), pages 29-48, January.
    3. Rob Simmons & David Berri, 2009. "Gains from Specialization and Free Agency: The Story from the Gridiron," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 34(1), pages 81-98, February.
    4. Quinn A. W. Keefer, 2019. "Do sunk costs affect expert decision making? Evidence from the within-game usage of NFL running backs," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 56(5), pages 1769-1796, May.
    5. Manuel Arellano & Stephen Bond, 1991. "Some Tests of Specification for Panel Data: Monte Carlo Evidence and an Application to Employment Equations," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 58(2), pages 277-297.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    non-fatal injuries; NFL; running backs; risky effort; rate-of-return; career length; Poisson regression; panel data; Arellano-Bond model; fixed effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z21 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - Industry Studies
    • Z22 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - Labor Issues
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models

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