Do NFL Players Drink Energy Drinks? What the Data Shows
When you see an NFL player sprinting down the field or crushing a tackle, it’s easy to wonder: what’s fueling them? Energy drinks are everywhere - in convenience stores, gyms, and even on sidelines. But do NFL players actually drink them? The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. It’s shaped by team policies, personal habits, and the science of performance.
What NFL Players Actually Drink During Games
Most NFL teams don’t hand out energy drinks on game day. Instead, they rely on electrolyte solutions like Gatorade, Powerade, or custom blends made by team nutritionists. These aren’t energy drinks. They’re designed to replace fluids and salts lost through sweat, not to spike adrenaline or caffeine levels.
Energy drinks typically contain 80-300 mg of caffeine per serving, plus sugar, taurine, and stimulants like guarana or synephrine. That’s a problem in a high-stakes, high-impact environment like football. Caffeine can increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and dehydrate you if you’re not careful. In a sport where players already face extreme physical stress - 30-40 tackles, 5-7 sprints per game, and 90+ degree field temperatures - adding a stimulant isn’t worth the risk.
Teams like the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs have strict nutrition protocols. Their players get hydration packs with precise sodium, potassium, and glucose ratios. Some even use IV hydration after games. Energy drinks? Not on the menu.
Do Any NFL Players Drink Energy Drinks Outside of Games?
Yes - but not during the season, and rarely in public.
Some players admit to drinking energy drinks during the offseason, before workouts, or on days off. A 2023 survey by the NFL Players Association found that 18% of players reported consuming energy drinks outside of team activities. Most of them said they used them as a quick pick-me-up before early morning training sessions or long drives.
Former NFL linebacker A.J. Hawk told ESPN in 2022 that he used Monster Energy during his first year in the league - until he got a migraine after a 4 a.m. lift. “I thought it was hype. Turns out, it was just sugar and caffeine crashing me harder than I was lifting.” He switched to black coffee and now swears by it.
Other players, like wide receiver Tyreek Hill, have been seen with cans of Red Bull in social media posts - but those were from 2019, before he signed his current contract. Today, he’s more likely to be seen with a bottle of water and a protein shake.
Why Energy Drinks Are Risky for Football Players
Football isn’t like a marathon or a sprint race. It’s a series of explosive bursts followed by long rest periods. That means the body doesn’t need a constant stimulant - it needs recovery.
Energy drinks can interfere with:
- Recovery: Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, which are key for sleep and muscle repair. NFL players need 8-9 hours of sleep nightly. A pre-workout energy drink can cut into that.
- Hydration: Many energy drinks have high sugar and sodium, which can pull water out of cells. That’s the opposite of what players need on a hot field.
- Heart strain: A 2021 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that athletes who consumed energy drinks before intense activity had a 12% higher risk of abnormal heart rhythms. For men in their 20s and 30s, that’s not a small number.
Teams have banned energy drinks not because they’re “bad,” but because they’re unpredictable. One player’s reaction to 200 mg of caffeine might be a calm focus. Another’s could be a panic attack or a cramp. Teams can’t afford that variability.
What Do NFL Nutritionists Recommend Instead?
Most NFL nutritionists don’t ban caffeine - they just control it.
Instead of energy drinks, they recommend:
- Black coffee (100-150 mg caffeine) - taken 45 minutes before training. It’s clean, predictable, and doesn’t spike sugar.
- Green tea - contains L-theanine, which smooths out caffeine’s edge. Helps with focus without jitters.
- Electrolyte tablets - like Nuun or Liquid IV. No sugar. No stimulants. Just minerals.
- Beetroot juice - naturally boosts nitric oxide, which improves blood flow and endurance. Used by over 60% of NFL teams in 2025.
Some teams even use adaptogens like rhodiola rosea or ashwagandha. These aren’t stimulants - they help the body handle stress better. One 2024 study from the University of Texas showed players who took ashwagandha daily had 22% faster recovery times between drills.
What About Energy Drink Sponsorships?
You’ve seen Red Bull, Monster, and Rockstar logos on NFL helmets - but those are team sponsorships, not player endorsements.
Players don’t get paid to drink them. In fact, most contracts include clauses that prohibit athletes from promoting or consuming products that conflict with team health policies. A player can’t be seen drinking an energy drink on TV if their team’s hydration partner is Gatorade. It’s a conflict of interest.
Even when energy drink companies sponsor teams, they’re usually restricted to vending machines in locker rooms - and even then, only if they meet nutritional standards. In 2023, the NFL tightened its guidelines: any sponsored beverage must have under 10g of sugar per 8 oz and no more than 100 mg of caffeine.
What Happens If a Player Gets Caught Drinking Energy Drinks?
There’s no official league-wide rule against energy drinks. But teams have their own policies. Violations can lead to:
- Loss of access to team nutritionists
- Forced meetings with medical staff
- Removal from practice or game-day rotation
- Public reprimand - especially if it’s caught on camera
In 2021, a rookie running back for the Minnesota Vikings was benched for a week after a post-game interview showed him drinking a Monster Energy. The team cited “non-compliance with hydration protocol.” He later said he didn’t realize it was against team rules.
Most players now know better. They’ve seen teammates get sidelined for poor nutrition choices. The stakes are too high.
So, Do NFL Players Drink Energy Drinks?
The short answer: not during the season. Not on game day. Not in team facilities.
Some might sip one during the offseason - but even then, it’s rare, and they’re careful. The smart ones know that real performance doesn’t come from a can. It comes from sleep, hydration, protein, and recovery.
Energy drinks might give you a quick buzz. But football is a 16-game marathon of physical demands. You don’t win that with caffeine. You win it with discipline.
Do NFL players drink Red Bull or Monster Energy?
Most NFL players avoid Red Bull, Monster, and similar energy drinks during the season. Teams have strict hydration policies that prioritize electrolyte solutions over stimulant-heavy drinks. A few players may drink them during the offseason, but it’s uncommon and rarely public. The league and teams discourage them due to health risks like dehydration and heart strain.
Is caffeine banned in the NFL?
No, caffeine is not banned. The NFL removed caffeine from its banned substance list in 2004. However, teams monitor intake. Most players get caffeine from coffee or tea - not energy drinks. The league allows up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is about four cups of coffee. Exceeding that can trigger medical reviews.
Why don’t NFL teams use energy drinks instead of Gatorade?
Gatorade and similar sports drinks are designed to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes. Energy drinks focus on stimulation with high caffeine and sugar, which can worsen dehydration and cause energy crashes. Football requires steady performance over 60 minutes, not a short burst. Teams need consistency, not spikes.
Do NFL players drink energy drinks before workouts?
Very few do. Most teams require players to get their pre-workout fuel from approved sources: black coffee, beetroot juice, or custom-formulated shakes. Energy drinks are seen as unreliable and potentially dangerous. A 2024 survey of 120 NFL athletes found that only 7% used energy drinks before training - and all of them were in the offseason.
Are there any NFL players who openly endorse energy drinks?
No. While some players have appeared in ads for energy drink brands in the past, they’re usually paid for marketing - not for consumption. Today, NFL contracts prohibit athletes from promoting products that conflict with team health policies. Even if a player likes an energy drink, they won’t say so publicly during the season.
