Coffee in Cleats: How Athletes Use Caffeine to Perform Better

/ Rise Cafe Denver/

Football season is back, which means weekends filled with touchdowns, tailgates, and the occasional couch-to-fridge sprint (hey, that counts as cardio). But while fans are fueling up with nachos and cold brews, many athletes are relying on a different performance booster: caffeine. Yep, coffee isn’t just a morning ritual—it’s also a legit game-day strategy.

So, how exactly do athletes—from NFL stars to weekend flag football warriors—use coffee to up their performance? Let’s break it down:

1. Coffee as a Legal Performance Enhancer

No secret protein powder here. The International Olympic Committee actually recognizes caffeine as one of the most effective (and totally legal) ergogenic aids—meaning it helps the body work harder and longer. A cup of coffee before a game can:

  • Increase endurance

  • Sharpen focus

  • Reduce perceived effort (translation: that hill sprint feels less like torture)

In other words, coffee helps athletes push through the fourth quarter—or your 6 a.m. spin class—without throwing in the towel.

2. Quick Reaction Times, Thanks to Espresso

Football is a game of milliseconds. The quarterback’s release, the receiver’s cut, the linebacker’s reaction—all depend on speed and alertness. Caffeine gives the central nervous system a jolt, improving reaction time, coordination, and decision-making.

Studies have shown that athletes who consume moderate caffeine doses react faster to visual and auditory cues—basically, it helps your brain shout “Go!” to your muscles just a little quicker. Think of it like shaving a fraction of a second off your 40-yard dash… or finally being the one who actually catches the remote before it falls off the couch.

3. Coffee + Team Spirit

Sports and coffee culture actually have more in common than you’d think. Both thrive on ritual, camaraderie, and the power of a good pre-game (or pre-meeting) routine. Some professional football players have signature “coffee orders” they never stray from before a game. One linebacker might swear by a double espresso shot 30 minutes before kickoff, while a kicker prefers a slow-sipped cold brew during warmups.

It’s not just superstition—it’s about creating rhythm and mental focus. The act of making and drinking coffee can become a grounding moment, just like lacing up cleats or running through a tunnel with your teammates. At Rise, we see the same energy every morning. Regulars file in, grab their usual brew, and suddenly the day feels winnable. Whether you’re about to play under stadium lights or just take on your inbox, coffee is the rallying point.

4. Timing Matters: Don’t Fumble the Buzz

When it comes to caffeine, timing is everything. Too much too soon, and you’re peaking before warmups. Too little too late, and you’re dragging through the second half. Research suggests the sweet spot is about 45–60 minutes before game time, giving caffeine time to hit peak effect.

But dosage matters too: about 3–6 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight is the performance sweet spot. For the average person, that’s 1–2 strong cups of coffee. Translation: no need to chug an entire cold brew tower before your rec league flag football game.

The real pro tip? Personalize it. Some athletes benefit from sipping smaller amounts throughout the day (think steady drip of cold brew), while others want one strong hit before kickoff. And for the fans? Use the same strategy to survive an all-day Sunday lineup of games—you’ll thank yourself by the fourth quarter of the night game.

5. Coffee and Recovery: Not Just Pre-Game

Here’s a twist: coffee isn’t just for the before. Studies show that when paired with carbohydrates after exercise, caffeine helps muscles replenish glycogen stores faster. In simpler terms—it helps your body restock energy more efficiently so you recover quicker.

That’s why many athletes pair a latte or cold brew with their post-workout meal. It’s not just a victory lap at the café—it’s functional recovery fuel. Plus, coffee’s antioxidant properties help fight inflammation, which is especially handy after a tough game or grueling training session.

Want to dive deeper into the science of how caffeine supports both performance and recovery? We covered it in detail here: Coffee for Athletes: How Caffeine Can Boost Performance and Recovery.

So yes, grabbing a cappuccino after your weekend flag football win isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s a recovery move that would make your coach proud.

Coffee and Football: A Match Made in Heaven

Whether you’re an NFL pro, a weekend warrior, or just a diehard fan who needs stamina for a full day of cheering, coffee has a place in your playbook. At Rise Cafe Denver, we like to think of it as the unsung MVP of sports season—keeping athletes sharp, fans energized, and Mondays after game day survivable.

So next time you grab your game-day brew, raise a mug to coffee: the fuel behind every great performance, on and off the field.