Video captures various NFL players playfully complaining about the struggle of their shoulder pads

If you’re a football player good enough to be in the NFL, you already understand that even consistently playing in a world-class league can be an impossible struggle. Every week, you’re facing off against some of the biggest, strongest, fastest, and best athletes on the planet. You spend countless time in practice and in the film room to prepare for games, and none of it guarantees success.

Now imagine throwing uncomfortable shoulder pads into the mix. In a new video from NFL Films, several professional players got on their soap box about the struggle of putting on their shoulder pads and later having to take them off. Some of the more notable figures highlighting this “problem” include star Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard and former Pro Bowl running back Ricky Williams.

For many, it appears to be a multiple-person job just to be rid of the metal shell around their upper chest and back:

In a league all about efficiency, one NFL ritual is still a mess

The hardest part of the game might just be getting pads on and off #NFLFilmsPresents pic.twitter.com/3pxtLCrCtw

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) October 26, 2023

I can’t even imagine what it’d be like having to take off form-fitted equipment designed to keep me safe after I’ve spent three hours sweating in it. These are the not-so-hidden battles that NFL players have to fight.

It’s one we should be glad we can avoid.