dave duerson

A few years ago, Jamal Lewis sat alone in a dark room wondering whether he still belonged in the world. Now, the former Ravens running back is speaking out about his experiences with depression in hopes of helping others,

Domonique Foxworth is a former NFL cornerback and a Harvard Business School graduate, and often it seems as if he wants to be recognized as neither. Sometimes he will appear on an ESPN show and be asked to talk about important matters and not want to come across as too highbrow. Other times, he'll be discussing football and remind himself that he was neither a star nor a Super Bowl champion, so he cannot talk in clichés and expect people to care.

NFL, former players have settlement over concussions a week before 2013 season begins

Finnerty was also diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has stricken many former football players, according to studies at Boston University.

Concussion prevention and treatment has become part of a national debate, and coaches in Maryland are joining the trend.

Deaths of Junior Seau, John Mackey and others make clear that football is harmful to its players' health