Dr. Myron L. Rolle has stepped into an advisory role that will combine his medical expertise with his experience as a former athlete.
Rolle was a junior at Florida State University when he was awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship and went on to study at the University of Oxford in 2009, SB Nation reports. He aspired to become a neurosurgeon. That aspiration didn’t waver when the Tennessee Titans selected him in the 2010 NFL Draft, CNBC reports. However, he never played in a regular-season game. He was later selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers but was cut from the team, having played three years in the league.
Men’s Health reports that he focused on studying for the MCAT and then attended the Florida State University College of Medicine before completing a neurosurgery residency at Harvard-Massachusetts General Hospital.
Rolle now works as a pediatric neurosurgeon at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, FL, according to his Instagram account.
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Most recently, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) announced Rolle will serve in a strategic advisory role with the organization. According to a news release, he will focus on “player health, brain cognition, and preventive care across the player lifecycle” and on research, education, and policy recommendations related to neurological health and cognitive performance.
Additionally, he will lend his expertise to the Mackey-White Health and Safety Committee, which considers athletes’ well-being during their playing careers and in retirement. He will support mental and behavioral health initiatives.
“This sport gave my family joy, discipline, and community,” Rolle said in a press release. “To return now, as a physician, researcher and former player, and contribute to the wellbeing of the men who make this game what it is, feels deeply meaningful. I am honored to support the NFLPA’s mission and help advance a future where every player’s health is protected with the highest standard of care.”
NFLPA medical director Thom Mayer commented:
“As a former player who now treats complex neurological conditions, Dr. Rolle brings a rare combination of lived experience, medical authority, and a deep commitment to service. He understands both the demands of the game and the science required to safeguard those who play it. His voice will strengthen our work and expand our capacity to advocate for players’ health and safety.”
