On Wednesday, the NFL Players Association issued their 2024 team report cards, a survey of 1,706 players about their daily lives and working conditions.
According to the NFLPA website, the yearly poll aims to “highlight positive clubs, identify areas that could use improvement, and highlight best practices and standards.”
Big, strong football players require a lot of nutrition, but quality matters, and that’s where Bears players want to see improvements. Chicago finished toward the bottom of the league in these categories, with a C for food/cafeteria (21st) and a C+ for nutritionist/dietician (24th).
According to the study, the food offered ranked low in overall flavor (24th) and freshness (20th), with several players believing the team’s meal program failed to “maximize” their performance. The most popular request on this front was for healthier food and specialized meal plans, with just 69% of players believing they received personalized nutrition plans. (Full report)
The Lions improved in the food/cafeteria area, moving from 28th to 19th and receiving a C grade. However, just 67% of players felt the team created personalized strategies for them (25th).
Players confessed to witnessing improvements, but the food’s flavor and freshness remained 17th among NFL clubs. Meanwhile, the most commonly desired adjustment was to the variety of foods available.
These appear to be easy adjustments for the Lions. Almost every team in the league appears to have successfully implemented personal nutrition plans, and providing extra food alternatives to keep players satisfied is a no-brainer. (Full report)
