Marshawn Lynch compares NFL game impact to seven car crashes

Former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch revealed that sensor data from his shoulder pads indicated the physical impact he absorbed during games was equivalent to being in seven car crashes per contest. Speaking on ‘The Art of Ward’ podcast, Lynch noted that the Seattle Seahawks used sensors to monitor contact, and a trainer once reviewed the data to show the intensity of the workload he endured.

Lynch, who played 12 seasons and won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks, highlighted the unique physical demands of the running back position, noting that players must often navigate through all 11 defenders to succeed.

Scientific research supports the high-impact nature of the sport. A 2019 study by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Rochester Medical Center utilized helmet accelerometers to measure forces during practices and games. The study found that many hits produced forces exceeding 10 gs, significantly higher than the 3 gs experienced by astronauts during space shuttle lift-off.