At a Glance
- Jasmatia Schaefering, 40, filed for divorce from her NFL husband in June 2024 after nearly two decades of marriage.
- She spent years as a stay-at-home mom and caretaker for a former player diagnosed with brain injury and CTE.
- Now she is pursuing a career in product management while advocating for better support for former NFL families.
- Why it matters: Her story highlights the personal toll of professional football on spouses and the need for comprehensive post-retirement care.
Jasmatia Schaefering has spent most of her adult life in the shadow of the NFL, first as a devoted wife and mother and now as a woman redefining herself after a divorce. In June 2024, she filed for divorce from her husband, a former professional football player, after nearly twenty years of marriage. The split marked the beginning of a new chapter in which she balances caring for her ex-spouse’s health needs and building a career of her own.
Life as an NFL Wife
When her husband was still playing, Jasmatia devoted herself to the sport and to their family. She described the experience as:
> “I took care of him. I supported him … It was all about him. It was like football, God, football, family. It soaked up everything in my life,” she told News Of Los Angeles.
She remained a stay-at-home mom, managing the household and attending games. The role gave her a clear identity-“NFL wife”-but also limited her social circle to the partners of other players. She lost many friends because she could not keep in touch with them outside of the football community.
Retirement and Identity Crisis
After her husband retired, the couple faced a dramatic shift. While he kept the glory of his career, Jasmatia felt she had left behind her own ambitions. She said:
> “My title was ‘NFL wife,’ and after the veil is removed, and it’s like, ‘Well, what have you done for yourself? Who are you now?'”
The transition was described as an ultimate identity crisis. She had to rebuild a sense of self outside the football world, a challenge that many former spouses of athletes face.
Caretaker Role and Brain Health
During this period, her husband was diagnosed with brain damage and early signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The Mayo Clinic defines CTE as a “brain disease likely caused by repeated head injuries,” a condition that can only be definitively diagnosed after death.
Jasmatia became his primary caretaker. She:
- Researched brain-health treatments, learning about nutrition and cannabis as potential aids.
- Educated the family on his condition, holding meetings with charts, paperwork, and YouTube videos.
- Helped his son with stuttering and emotional highs and lows, noting dramatic changes in behavior.
The experience left her resentful toward the NFL, especially because the league’s insurance plans end shortly after retirement, creating a barrier for players who need long-term medical care.
Resentment Toward the NFL
Jasmatia expressed a desire for the league to provide more resources for players suffering from severe injuries. She said:
> “I don’t hate the NFL. I don’t want to go after them. I’d rather partner with them so that it grows instead of being squashed,” she explained.
She hopes to collaborate with the NFL to prevent life-changing injuries and better support former pro football families. She believes that players should not ignore their health and that the league should act as a partner rather than an adversary.
New Career Path
Since the divorce, Jasmatia has shifted her focus to her own professional development. She currently works at a large communications company and is enrolling in school to become a product manager. She explained:
> “I want to actually build up something for myself [and] so that I can give to the kids in the way that I wanted to before,” she said.
She also reflected on her past decisions:
> “If I could go back in time, that is probably the biggest thing that I would redo.”
Advice to Other Players’ Partners
Jasmatia urges other spouses of athletes to recognize their own aspirations. She advises:
> “Figure out what it is you want to do and who you are because you have dreams too. Don’t forget those dreams. Don’t let them go just because his is taking off,” she said.
She hopes that partners who currently support their athletes will learn from her experience and plan for their own futures.
Family Snapshot
| Child | Age |
|---|---|
| Eldest | 22 |
| Second | 19 |
| Third | 18 |
| Youngest | 11 |
These children, now grown, were raised with a focus on their father’s health and the family’s future. Jasmatia’s dedication to their well-being has been a central part of her life.
Key Takeaways
- Jasmatia Schaefering’s divorce marks a turning point in her life after nearly two decades as an NFL wife.
- She spent years caring for a husband with brain injury, highlighting gaps in post-retirement support.
- She is now pursuing a career in product management while advocating for better resources for former NFL families.
- Her story underscores the need for comprehensive care and personal identity support for spouses of professional athletes.
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Categories: Breaking News, Health News, Business News
