Who pays the bills?: Former players frequently face financial pain
Adequate health insurance is often unavailable, many say.
By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff WriterPublished 2:15 am PST Sunday, January 1, 2006
Not all NFL players living with injuries in retirement are content.
Both the league and NFL Players Association, through collective bargaining, agree that medical benefits have been greatly improved, but still there are needs.
For example, many former players, who left the league long before payrolls escalated during the 1990s, complain of affordability issues with smaller pensions.
And a large number of those old-timers, particularly those with major physical problems, say it is difficult to buy adequate health insurance after their policies through the league expire.
"Without it, we'd really be up the creek, especially with all the surgeries Jim has had," she said. "I feel sorry for a lot of players like him who never made the big bucks, can't work, have families and are really hurting."
According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, the current bargaining agreement between the league and players union provides for five years of free medical coverage in retirement.
In addition, Aiello said, "If a vested player is unable to work, at any age, for any reason, he is entitled to total and permanent disability benefits....(If) permanent disability does result from NFL football, he may qualify for a much higher benefit of over $9,000 a month. But this is a disability benefit, not a payment for medical costs."
Five years ago, the league and NFL Alumni Inc. started the Dire Need Fund, which helps some former players in financial or medical need. Players earning no more than $50,000 can qualify for assistance.
The NFLPA notes some injured retired players have struggled to prove their long-term disabilities were related to football. Feeling betrayed, they resorted to filing workers' compensation claims to force teams to pay for a portion of their medical bills.
Former 49ers defensive lineman Charlie Krueger, who played in the 1960s and 1970s and became permanently disabled with a knee injury, was one of the first to successfully sue his old team. In a phone interview from his Bay Area home, Krueger's voice filled with emotion when he said, "I was stupid. It's too difficult to talk about anymore" and politely ended the conversation.
About the writer:
The Bee's Jim Jenkins can be reached at jjenkins@sacbee.com.
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee
Adequate health insurance is often unavailable, many say.
By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff WriterPublished 2:15 am PST Sunday, January 1, 2006
Not all NFL players living with injuries in retirement are content.
Both the league and NFL Players Association, through collective bargaining, agree that medical benefits have been greatly improved, but still there are needs.
For example, many former players, who left the league long before payrolls escalated during the 1990s, complain of affordability issues with smaller pensions.
And a large number of those old-timers, particularly those with major physical problems, say it is difficult to buy adequate health insurance after their policies through the league expire.
Sally Otto - the wife of former Raiders center Jim Otto, whose 15-year,She feels fortunate her husband has returned to work for the team and has complete medical coverage.
award-filled-but-injury-marred career ended in 1974 - estimated health costs out
of their own pocket have exceeded six figures.
"Without it, we'd really be up the creek, especially with all the surgeries Jim has had," she said. "I feel sorry for a lot of players like him who never made the big bucks, can't work, have families and are really hurting."
According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, the current bargaining agreement between the league and players union provides for five years of free medical coverage in retirement.
In addition, Aiello said, "If a vested player is unable to work, at any age, for any reason, he is entitled to total and permanent disability benefits....(If) permanent disability does result from NFL football, he may qualify for a much higher benefit of over $9,000 a month. But this is a disability benefit, not a payment for medical costs."
Five years ago, the league and NFL Alumni Inc. started the Dire Need Fund, which helps some former players in financial or medical need. Players earning no more than $50,000 can qualify for assistance.
The NFLPA notes some injured retired players have struggled to prove their long-term disabilities were related to football. Feeling betrayed, they resorted to filing workers' compensation claims to force teams to pay for a portion of their medical bills.
Former 49ers defensive lineman Charlie Krueger, who played in the 1960s and 1970s and became permanently disabled with a knee injury, was one of the first to successfully sue his old team. In a phone interview from his Bay Area home, Krueger's voice filled with emotion when he said, "I was stupid. It's too difficult to talk about anymore" and politely ended the conversation.
About the writer:
The Bee's Jim Jenkins can be reached at jjenkins@sacbee.com.
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee
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