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Who should bear the costs of retired NFL players’ medical bills?
Posted on 5/10/13 at 5:34 pm
Posted on 5/10/13 at 5:34 pm
Will this eventually end the NFL.... or radically change it?
Reggie Williams Story
After 24 knee operations, the National Football League’s former Man of the Year leans heavily on a crutch. When Reggie Williams pulls up his pants leg, what’s underneath looks like the trimmings from a butcher shop. His right leg is so ravaged that it’s three inches shorter than his left. Worse, it’s uninsured.
Once, Williams was the NFL’s high ideal. From 1976 to 1989 he was a spring-legged linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals who set franchise records and played in two Super Bowls. Off the field, he was a civic-minded Dartmouth graduate who won humanitarian awards and served as a city councilman while he was still playing. He was so loyal to the game that he was a pallbearer at legendary team founder Paul Brown’s funeral. He would even be invited to apply for the job of NFL commissioner.
But now, Williams and his battered legs amount to a bill no one wants to pay. Since 2005 Williams, 58, has suffered a cascade of health problems he says stem from his 14-year football career, including multiple knee replacements and a bone infection, which he estimates have cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Reggie Williams Story
After 24 knee operations, the National Football League’s former Man of the Year leans heavily on a crutch. When Reggie Williams pulls up his pants leg, what’s underneath looks like the trimmings from a butcher shop. His right leg is so ravaged that it’s three inches shorter than his left. Worse, it’s uninsured.
Once, Williams was the NFL’s high ideal. From 1976 to 1989 he was a spring-legged linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals who set franchise records and played in two Super Bowls. Off the field, he was a civic-minded Dartmouth graduate who won humanitarian awards and served as a city councilman while he was still playing. He was so loyal to the game that he was a pallbearer at legendary team founder Paul Brown’s funeral. He would even be invited to apply for the job of NFL commissioner.
But now, Williams and his battered legs amount to a bill no one wants to pay. Since 2005 Williams, 58, has suffered a cascade of health problems he says stem from his 14-year football career, including multiple knee replacements and a bone infection, which he estimates have cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 5:38 pm to kywildcatfanone
The NFL ultimately should bear this burden, IMO. They make all of the money on the players. I do think there should be a minimum time period in the league being required for tenure, however.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 5:43 pm to kywildcatfanone
quote:
Who should bear the costs of retired NFL players’ medical bills?
The players should have group health insurance. If not, the player should bear the burden.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 5:46 pm to kywildcatfanone
I do not see where NFL players medical issues should be placed on the NFL.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 5:49 pm to kywildcatfanone
The players. They know what they're getting paid to do and the possible consequences of their job going into it.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 5:51 pm to Weagle25
The players should have a group medical plan that is partially paid for by both the players association and by the NFL.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 6:55 pm to Weagle25
The players are injured while performing their duties as employees. Thus they should be entitled to something akin to workers compensation paid for by the employers.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:04 pm to kywildcatfanone
Either the NFL will pay -- passing the costs onto fans -- or the game will be radically changed, perhaps beyond recognition
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:06 pm to kywildcatfanone
Both should pay a part.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:08 pm to RJYH
half on the players..half on the NFL
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:11 pm to kywildcatfanone
the players. this is why they have their fricking union. if that union failed to negotiate medical care, then they need to start asking questions about the competency of their union and its reps
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:21 pm to kywildcatfanone
I think who ever is contractually obligated should pay
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:22 pm to SlowFlowPro
quote:this...there is a reason they have a union.
the players. this is why they have their fricking union. if that union failed to negotiate medical care, then they need to start asking questions about the competency of their union and its reps
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:31 pm to beaverfever
The NFL should pay a portion, but I'm sick of these sob cases of people who saved no money. Understand your situation and prepare yourself for the afterlife. The rest of us have to do it, you should as well.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:33 pm to graychef
quote:
The players should have group health insurance. If not, the player should bear the burden.
This.
Posted on 5/10/13 at 7:44 pm to kywildcatfanone
The NFL should be like most employers and offer a package for employees.
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