The NFL: Where Neglecting Ex-Players Happens

(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

After reading this story, there were a few words that could describe my feelings after reading it. Here are some examples: pissed, angry, sick, etc...

The example of Boyd reminded me of Steve Wallace, who was a left tackle for most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. I remember him having to need a special helmet because he had so many concussions.

Steve Young and Troy Aikman also had to retire early due to concussions. How is the NFL going to treat those three if they suddenly deteriorate due to the concussions they suffered in their careers?

It's amazing how many stories of ex-players there are being turned down by the league and what makes it worse is the fact that there are a limited numbers of appeals a player has to get disability.

Other sports like baseball and basketball have guaranteed contracts. So, even if a player is injured they can still get money or at least save some so if they need it at a later date they have it.

Even worse is that team doctors are willing to put players back into games when they are severely injured. That isn't even ethical.

Although, I do see the league changing its stance on concussions. There have been times where a player has suffered a concussion or head injury and for precautionary reasons they are sent to the doctors.

I wonder why that might be. Could it be that ex-players have been fighting with the Players Association for disability for so long that they are now trying to cover their asses by sending them to the hospital?

Recently there has been a $28.1 million settlement between the Players Association and retired players, but it wasn't about disability, it was about licensing misuse.

The good news for the ex-players is that DeMaurice Smith has taken over as the head of the Players Association after the death of one of the most despicable human beings in Upshaw.

Smith was quoted as saying that he "wanted to move toward a better partnership between retired players." This comes from the article recently in the New York Times titled "NFL Union Reaches Deal with Retired Players."

If Smith wants to build a better relationship with the retired players, it is time for him to change the way the process of getting disability is handled. This means getting rid of the men currently on the board who are just as bad as Upshaw.

There are definitely changes that Smith needs to make and it starts with getting these ex-players the disability they deserve.

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