Fecal incontinence in high-performance athletes is a documented physiological phenomenon caused by extreme biological stress rather than a lack of preparation. Recent viral incidents involving Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rashan Gary and Buffalo Bills running back James Cook highlight how intense physical demands can trigger these involuntary bodily functions during professional competition.
High-intensity physical stress
Rashan Gary and James Cook's plays in Week 9 of the NFL season have drawn much attention on social media. Gary’s incident occurred during a game against the Indianapolis Colts, followed by a similar situation involving Cook during a Monday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, according to reports from radiolatinousa.com and Mediotiempo.
Experts explain why high-performance physical demands cause such incidents
While these moments often trigger reactions of surprise or humor from the public, sports medicine experts categorize these events as direct results of the extreme physical requirements placed on the human body. Medical professionals note that such incidents are more frequent in high-performance environments than is commonly understood.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Cowboys LB Rashan Gary has gone viral for "pooping" his pants during today's game against the Colts. We have never seen anything like this 😳 pic.twitter.com/OE1YUNJMSC
— Post by @NFL_DovKleiman on X
Cowboys LB Rashan Gary has gone viral for “pooping” his pants during today’s game against the Colts. We have never seen anything like this ???? pic.twitter.com/OE1YUNJMSC
Gastroenterologists and sports medicine specialists point to three primary physiological processes that trigger incontinence during high-intensity activity, as reported by radiolatinousa.com.
Transient intestinal ischemia factors
The first factor is transient intestinal ischemia. During periods of maximum intensity, the body redistributes blood flow toward the heart, lungs, and active muscles. This can reduce blood flow to the digestive system by as much as 80%, which alters intestinal motility and can cause sudden accelerations in transit.
The Vikings' defense literally scared the shit out of James Cookpic.twitter.com/Tuv2y7u2VG
— Post by @NFL_DovKleiman on X
The second cause involves spikes in intra-abdominal pressure. The high-speed collisions and the physical force required to break tackles or push through the line of scrimmage generate drastic pressure increases within the abdominal cavity. This pressure can mechanically force rectal contents outward.
Neuromuscular exhaustion affects the pelvic floor and anal sphincters
Finally, neuromuscular exhaustion affects the pelvic floor. The muscles that form the pelvic floor and the anal sphincters can suffer from fatigue following sustained, intense effort. This fatigue reduces the muscles’ ability to maintain the sustained contractions necessary to prevent impact-related accidents.
The combination of explosive strength, cardiovascular effort, and constant physical contact creates a unique biological environment. Experts suggest that these factors, rather than pre-existing pathologies or poor conditioning, are the primary drivers of these incidents in the NFL.
Internal organ physical toll
The physical toll of a professional football game subjects the internal organs to pressures and blood-flow shifts that are rarely encountered in less strenuous activities. This explains why the phenomenon is specifically linked to athletes operating at the highest levels of physical output.
Rashan Gary’s viral moment on November 8, 2026, remains one of the most prominent recent examples of these physiological stressors in action.
