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NFL Players Plan To Donate Pay To Disabled Retired Players
Introducing our new correspondent with a special sports report Lyle O. Scrim. Welcome Lyle.
Thank you Henry. Good to be here. My report today is on the tragedy happening within the National Football League. It’s about the scandalous treatment of the league’s retired players.
Lineman Kyle Turley of the Kansas City Chiefs announced in a news conference at Mike Ditka’s restaurant in Chicago on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 that he will donate his entire pay check, some $25,000 to provide financial assistance to those retired and disabled players who are having difficulties meeting day to day necessities of life because of injuries sustained as professional football players.
One of the most shocking examples of neglect is the matter of Hall of Fame center Mike Webster of the Pittsburgh Steelers who died in 2002. Webster was homeless and suffered from mental illness many experts attribute to serious head injuries endured while a professional football player. He was 50 years old at his death.
“We make a lot of money playing this game and it’s because of the guys that played before us “said Turley as he implored other players to make contributions to the fund.
There is a very bitter public dispute ongoing between retired players and the National Football League Players’ Association (NFLPA). It is an argument that has been fueled by remarks made by commissioner Roger Goodell in September at a hearing held by the U.S. Senate. Goodell stated the NFL is increasing its players’ benefit package while other corporations are diminishing benefit packages.
However NFL players’ retirement benefits do not become effective until age 55. NFL players have a life expectancy of 55. It is nearly the same for the average black man and his social security old age benefits.
When one considers the fact an NFL player’s career expectancy is three years, it is clear that the player, even if he is fortunate to leave the game without serious injury, must have a plan to sustain himself and his family for at least 30 years before collecting a pension.
The NFLPA has been criticized for placing too much emphasis on current players and basically ignoring the health and welfare of the retired players.
Turley reminded his fellow players “..you are a serious injury from being broke.”
I discussed this situation with the staff of YouThinkWhat. We have concluded that thoroughbred horses are treated better than human athletes. We’ve come up with some suggestions.
We say change the script. Treat NFL players the way animal athletes are treated, for example thoroughbred horses. If you notice race horses have a race career for two, three may be four, sometimes on rare occasions as many as five years tops, then they are retired to comfortable surroundings. Even while they are actively racing if a race horse sustains an injury the animal is permitted time to heal before being put back on the circuit.
We think the same policy should be extended to human athletes. After three years they should be placed in a sports friendly community, much like putting race horses out to pasture. They live with their families in a peaceful serene and secure environment. If they choose to they can work out with the team or play golf everyday all day. They can mentor other players. They are afforded a stipend or business opportunity. They receive the best health care the team owner can buy as they grow old gracefully with dignity.
We think that’s only fair since on any given Sunday they are the ones who take the hardest hits and risk career-ending, certainly life-ending, injury. It’s only fair the league owners share the spoils of the sport in this way with the men who provide the excitement and the thrills.
I’m Lyle O. Scrim reporting for YouThinkWhat.
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