In this study the relationship between self‐concept, locus of control, and the severity of injury in freshmen collegiate varsity football athletes was investigated. Subjects (N = 40) completed the Tennessee Self‐Concept Scale (TSCS) (Fitts, 1972) and Rotter's (1966) Internal‐External (I‐E) Locus of Control Scale. Pearson product‐moment correlations were calculated between scores on these tests and the severity of athletic injury as measured by total number of days of participation missed. Results showed a significant negative correlation between self‐concept and severity of injury and a significant positive correlation between locus of control and severity of injury. Results also showed that low self‐concept in combination with an external locus of control was significantly related to injury severity. More attention needs to be given to the psychological factors of injury incidence for athletes who may experience feelings of helplessness and low self‐concept such as freshmen collegiate athletes.