Professional athletes seem to have it made. Fame, fortune, fans, and fun are just some of the reasons why it’s the top choice for future profession among American boys. While there’s a lot to like about the lifestyle, athletes, too, have plenty of problems. Here are some of the most common challenges facing sports stars.

Injury

Every day, athletes are at risk for suffering gruesome and painful injuries. Whether during games or practices, opportunities occur where an individual can sustain a concussion, blow out a knee, pull a groin or experience another medical problem. While modern medicine has greatly improved recovery times and treatment procedures, there’s always the chance an athlete is unable to perform at the level he or she was at prior to an injury.

Family

Life on the road can be difficult for athletes trying to juggle a sports career with family responsibilities. It’s especially stressful for those in the minor leagues playing for the love of the game rather than a multi-million-dollar paycheck. Even those who strike it rich still miss priceless moments like hearing a child’s first words or seeing his or her first steps, however. The constant travel also puts a lot of stress on marriages, as evidenced by the 60-to-80 percent divorce rate for professional athletes.

Performance

While it may seem like just a game to spectators, professional sports is a business and a highly competitive one at that. With big-money contracts on the line, athletes need to maintain peak performance to keep the paychecks coming. Injuries and age both affect one's ability to perform, but players sometimes lose a starting position or even roster spot simply because the team drafted an exciting young player or signed a talented free agent. The average sports career only lasts a few years, so it’s necessary that an athlete be responsible for his or her earnings. Many agents emphasize the importance of financial planning for professional athletes so the client can still live comfortably once a playing career has ended.

Security

Famous personalities attract attention. Sometimes it’s just a star-struck fan looking for autographs, but other individuals may approach with shady investment advice or even more nefarious reasons. Stalkers may threaten physical and psychological harm, while blackmailers may attempt to bring athletes into ill-advised situations for extortion purposes. In some cases, friends or even family may be bad influences, looking to exploit an athlete’s fortune in order to experience a luxurious lifestyle.

Getting paid to play a game sounds like a great way to make a living, but it also comes with its own unique challenges. These are just some of the pressures and problems professional athletes face on a daily basis.