The problem I always have with these cases is that it completely dismisses any potential liability to the NCAA, high school, or playground leagues. These guys have played football their entire lives, why is the NFL solely at fault?
The NCAA, High Schools and even little leagues have insurance policies in place and players are covered every which way.
If a person plays in the NFL and in their very first game has his neck broken and is paralyzed what happens? If it was an undrafted free-agent like, say... Pierre Thomas - what do we do? Cut him and give him a half mil for injury settlement or does WC pay for it?
The league and players union should step up and procure a special insurance policy for these guys.