Long-Term Injuries In the NFL and the Collective Bargaining Agreement

I was selling insurance, about eight years ago, when I came across a potential client who is in poor shape physically. He was having a tough time moving around and was in obvious pain when he did so. I was glad that there is a new chair for him to sit in at my office.

Being the curious type, part of my job description, I asked him what put him in this position. His response startled me. "Four years of NFL football."

As I spoke to him more about the advantages and disadvantages of various automotive policies I could no longer contain my train of thought as I looked upon a broken individual.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" I said. His response was not what I had hoped so I pressed further. "You look like you're in great deal of pain. Can I at least get you an aspirin, some water, anything?" He accepted the aspirin and water and signed the policy and left. His final words were that he would call me tomorrow. He put his van in drive and drove away.

It was unexpected the next morning that I would receive the call, but I did. He asked if I might be able to meet him a little closer to his home on the other side of town. He had a number of things that would probably interest me; a meeting place at a local restaurant was arranged.

That afternoon I arrived as agreed and I found him and his wife sitting at the table that they had arranged. Over the next three hours, I didn't have a busy day scheduled, he produced evidence upon evidence of players that were hurt and no longer taken care of by the NFL.

I was beginning to doubt the truth when a player I had recognized called him. I even had the opportunity to talk to the player as a sign of good faith on his behalf to verify his story.

I'd forgotten about this individual in the past couple years until I saw the first game of the season when the two teams, the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings, went out onto the field holding up a sign of unity with the union.

It all came back to me that day and I remember that the union will be asking that the NFL alumni be covered for injuries suffered on the football field. Will they be successful?

Players get hurt in football at alarming rate through no fault of their own. The equipment is better, athletes are better conditioned and stronger, offensive lines have increased to an average about 310 pounds for many teams.

Just think, in the early '80s "The Refrigerator" Perry was just over 300 pounds. He would almost seem average now. I challenge you to find me someone 300+ pounds that is at a healthy weight!

The NFL ownership's response has been less than stellar.  Substantial fines and suspending players arbitrarily for what they deem inappropriate behavior, Steelers fans will agree with me on this one, is nothing more than moronic. They should be willing to take into account in equal measure towards safety during the collective bargaining agreement.

Looking at the equipment, the hard pads and helmets have got to go. I believe that Joe Paterno has said this in the past. If that's the case, the old man might have something going on there. Let's reduce the pads too soft pads instead of the present-day armor they're using.

There would be far less spearing and leading with the helmet on tackles. The armored knights of the gridiron will still be as entertaining but less likely to be hit and injured on the play.

A healthy player upon retirement will very often lose a serious amount of weight. They are the lucky ones. Others will gain weight beyond obesity and be a statistic that includes diabetes and early death.

Other athletes will have knee problems, the various joint problems, traumatic brain injury diseases and additional strongly linked symptoms of their years of football. It doesn't have to be.

The players appear to be unified that the ownership should take responsibility for the ill-effects of football upon the human body. They are wrong. Ownership believes that they should not be saddled with the injuries received over a lifetime of football outside of the NFL. There are wrong also. Let's find a middle ground.

As fans we should demand, moreover, as human beings with the conscience we should insist the following.

1. Players should be required to spend five percent of their salaries to sponsor injured player rehabilitation.
2. The NFL ownership should give up a sponsorship with the United Way or give the equivalent to the injured players fund.
3. Players should be limited to 300 pounds.
4. Players should no longer be in body armor, soft pads and soft helmets will become the norm.
5. NFL will require players to partake in screening for concussions and other brain injuries and removed from play until fully healed.
6. Any player inflicting intentional injury on another player will be required to either sit out until the injured player returns or pay their injury related medical expenses for the next 10 years.

This is just the start, both sides of the table should take some of the responsibility and show some concern for the NFL alumni. What better way than a little bit of money to get the ball rolling.