Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD comes with daily setbacks. The poor emotional regulation, social awkwardness, and short attention span are regular hurdles faced by people with ADHD. And to top it off, it gets even worse when playing a competitive sport like football. Why? Because focus and pressure management are challenging in emotionally charged professional football matches —two things neurodivergent individuals struggle most to deal with.
However, with sheer grit and determination, these ADHD traits are manageable, considering numerous NFL players— who publicly acknowledged their ADHD— shone at the top level. These world-class athletes defied neurodivergence, showing that it didn’t stop them from reaching their potential. Take a look at some famous NFL players with ADHD.
1) Joshua Hines-Allen
No, don’t confuse Joshua Hines-Allen with the star Buffalo Bills quarterback, Josh Allen, who shares an identical name and plays in the NFL. Joshua Allen— who officially changed his name in 2024 to prevent misunderstanding— is a defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars, playing in the National Football League since 2019 and representing the same team.
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Though born in Virginia, Allen moved to New Jersey, attending school briefly there. In his childhood days, he had stuttering, which led to his admission to New Jersey’s special education system— years before his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnosis. Overcoming stuttering and ADHD challenges, Allen became a pro football player and one of the established names of the Jacksonville franchise. When Allen played college football for Kentucky, he reflected on his football journey with ADHD, saying neurodiversity posed a serious issue for him but emphasized focusing on the positive sides— a mindset that was instrumental to his battle with ADHD.
2) J.T. Thomas III
J.T. Thomas was a linebacker, playing for NFL teams— New York Giants, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Chicago Bears. His career peaked in the early 2010s once the Bears secured his services in 2011. Interestingly, he had a respectable NFL career, despite his constant battle with ADHD, demonstrating that it can’t be a roadblock to success.
Backed by his strict parents, Thomas started playing football at 5 years old, developing a strong discipline and good habits in childhood, although he was completely unaware of his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He was officially diagnosed with it at 24— the age when he had already begun playing for the Chicago Bears.
3) Marcell Dareus
Marcell Dareus thrived in his eight-year-long NFL career from 2011 to 2019 when he represented two NFL teams— Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. Playing as a defensive tackle, his tenure with the Bills was for six years and the Jaguars for two years. During his prime, Marcell was one of the highest-paid players in the NFL, especially as a non-quarterback.
The former Bills player had reportedly been dealing with ADHD since his college days in Alabama. However, his neurodivergent condition received public attention in 2016 when he was suspended for four games for violating a league policy. Instead of going to rehab, he took a rational approach by seeking treatment and counselling for his ADHD, calling it an underlying reason for his indiscipline and policy violations. He later bounced back after overcoming the challenges of ADHD and playing three more NFL seasons.
4) Terry Bradshaw
The NFL legend and four-time Super Bowl winner, Terry Bradshaw— who spent his football career at the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1970 to 1983— became a household name in his prime. Besides his recognition in football, the former quarterback was a charismatic and talented personality, starring in movies and TV shows.
He succeeded in both sports and entertainment despite his ADHD. The Pro Football Hall of Famer publicly discussed his ADHD in 2001— how lack of focus and impulsiveness affected him during his teenage years. Although he eventually learned to deal with the condition, he regretted his late diagnosis, thinking that had he been aware of his neurodivergence in his childhood, he would have excelled academically and dominated school football.
5) Garett Bolles
Garett Bolles is one of the famous NFL players with ADHD today who regularly speaks out about the condition, raising awareness about the learning disability. In addition to it, Garett runs the GB3 Foundation—an effort to help neurodivergent children. Having dealt with ADHD since childhood, he educates people on how to overcome everyday challenges faced due to ADHD.
Playing as an offensive tackle, Bolles currently represents the Denver Broncos. After being drafted in the first round 2017 NFL draft, the 33-year-old has been part of the Denver team for eight years. He publicly stated that he had a troubled childhood, and his ADHD threw fuel on the fire. But with willpower, determination, and self-belief, he turned the tide to become a top NFL player.
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