In recent weeks, a claim has been circulating on social media that professional athletes have stopped using Bluetooth wireless headphones because of the radiation and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by such devices. The clip contains images of athletes wearing wired headphones, suggesting that players have switched back to wired earphones out of health concerns.

The reality is less dramatic. While some athletes have indeed been spotted using wired headphones, there is no evidence of a widespread shift away from Bluetooth. A quick Google search showed that wireless headphones are still a common accessory for athletes on game day.

The speculation gained traction in part because of a comment made by NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who once joked about his preference for wired instead of wireless headphones, describing them as: “the ones that protect my brain from harmful electromagnetic emissions.” His remark has since been cited as proof that top athletes are worried about radiation. But while Rodgers may believe it, his statement reflects personal suspicion, not scientific consensus.

Scientific research paints a very different picture. Bluetooth headphones emit non-ionising radiation at extremely low levels, far below the safety thresholds set by international regulators. Bodies like the World Health Organization, Healthline, and Reuters have all reviewed the evidence and found no confirmed link between Bluetooth use and cancer, neurological disorders, or other health risks.

There are, however, more ordinary reasons why some athletes stick with wired headphones. Wired devices never run out of battery, and they avoid the occasional dropout that can plague wireless connections. In other cases, it might simply reflect personal taste — a nod to old-school reliability or style.

In short, while a few athletes may personally believe they are protecting themselves by avoiding Bluetooth, there is no scientific basis for the claim. Wired headphones may be making a comeback in some locker rooms, but not because radiation from wireless devices poses a proven health risk.