On Nov. 2 and 3, the National Football League came face to face with an issue that was being hidden for far too long: NFL coach’s health. Denver Broncos Head Coach John Fox was treated with heart attack symptoms after feeling ill on a golf course. Fox did not have a heart attack, but needed a heart valve replaced through surgery. Houston Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak collapsed on his way to the locker room at halftime on the field, and it has been said he had a “mini-stroke.” The health issues presented in back to back days uncovered an issue that has plagued NFL coaches for years, their own health.

 “When your team is terrible, you work overtime to fix it, which leads to extra stress,” said senior Matt Fuesel.

 An NFL coach’s job is by no means an easy job. They spend all of their time in-season focusing on the next week’s opponent by watching film, preparing gameplans, or simply stressing over their job security. Former Washington Redskins Head Coach Joe Gibbs was notorious for staying at the team facility overnight watching film. NFL coaches routinely work 100 hours a week, or even more depending on the game at hand. However, many NFL coaches are at an advantage never seen before in professional sports. As time has gone on, coaches have had team physicians and doctors all around the team guide them on how to keep their body in shape in order to avoid heart attacks.

 “The high stress situations can make their bodies crack. It’s a scary thought,” said junior Josh Mcghee.

 Although NFL coach’s health is alarming, a more alarming factor is the coach’s age. Fox is 58, and Kubiak is 52.

 “John Fox’s problem is because of his age, but Matt Schaub is literally killing Gary Kubiak,” said Fuesel.

 Football coaches are more prone to health issues earlier on in life than normal men, as the stress of their job can induce heart attacks and strokes. The issues presented by Fox and Kubiak have been typically seen in men aged in their 70s.

 “It makes you wonder how much stress the coaches actually go through,” said Mcghee.

 Head coach’s health, or lack thereof, is not only relegated to the pros. College coaches have seen their leaders go down with health problems in past years, as former Minnesota Head Football Coach Jerry Kill, who is an epileptic, has had six seizures on game days since 2011. He was forced to take a leave of absence to focus on his health. Current Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer has had his share of health problems. He was diagnosed with a cyst on his brain, inflamed through stress. He resigned from Florida at the young age of 45, only to return to coaching one year later.

 Football coaches are aware of the stress they go through when signing on to coach.

 “It’s sad to think that during the middle of a game, a coach could have a heart attack and die right there,” said Mcghee.

 Many have said that “It’s just apart of the job”. However, that type of stress and work hours should not be put on anyone, as “Just a part of the job” could end up being an early death.