Sickle Cell Hemoglobin (Hb AS) in Black Football Players

Abstract

The prevalence of Hb AS, the sickle cell trait condition, was determined in black football players in the National Football League. Hemoglobin electrophoresis on cellulose acetate of 579 blood samples revealed 39 (6.7%) with Hb AS, 11 (1.9%) with Hb AC, 6 (1.0%) with elevated A2, and 2 samples with a combination of Hb A and a rapidly migrating hemoglobin. This prevalence of Hb AS, 6.7%, is not significantly different from that found in the black population in the United States, indicating that there has not been a selective exclusion from professional football of individuals with Hb AS due to possible limitations in physical capabilities.