Retired Players Struggle to Receive Disability From the League (1 Viewer)

[GrandAdmiral]

This is so tough to read about retired players struggling this way. forking conspiracy. So messed up...

His (former Saints tight end Boo Williams) journey through the claims system began in 2009 when he sought benefits under the league’s “line of duty” disability policy for active and recently retired players who suffer football-related injuries.

All signs pointed toward him receiving payments of around $2,400 a month, after an orthopedic doctor assigned by the plan evaluated Williams. Dr. George Canizares graded Williams’ “whole person impairment,” or WPI, — a gauge of the severity of his injuries measured by standards set by the American Medical Association — at 27%. Rules at the time said if a player was rated 25% or higher he could receive benefits.

But three weeks after Canizares filed his report, he sent an addendum downgrading the severity of one of Williams’ injuries, to his left shoulder, at “the suggestion” of NFL Disability Plan Director Dr. Stephen Haas.

Crossed out was the “27” in the spot labeled “Combined WPI% Impairment.” Next to it, “24” was handwritten and circled.

NFL disability program leaves retired Saints tight end hurting and angry

The 44-year-old was recently awarded $5,000 a month by the NFL’s disability benefit plan.

www.wwltv.com

 

[saintmdterps]

While goodell takes in 52 mil per year to be the owners stooge. Oh wait, Goodell was a pre-existing stooge.

 

[RiverRat]

It’s almost like a club of 32 tax exempt billionaires is evil.

 

[St4ever]

I feel for these players, I really do but in regards to Williams current issues, I personally wake up with the same issues, been doing so for the last 20+ years and I never played football. I am lucky in that I push on and know many worse then myself. Boo made 2 million dollars in four years of playing. I have worked for 45 years and would be lucky to have earned 1 million.
maybe this needs to be advertised to the high schoolers, college and rookie pros so they can understand what they have to look forward to. You don’t take up a dangerous occupation and expect others to pay for your poor decision the rest of your life. A bull rider does not get this type of help! Deep sea divers don’t get it! Only in politics doe they get a golden parachute to keep them comfy!
my point is not to say the owners should not be helping them but rather I do not feel sorry for them. Sad yes but not sorry. I guess I am a jerk!

 

[saintmdterps]

I feel for these players, I really do but in regards to Williams current issues, I personally wake up with the same issues, been doing so for the last 20+ years and I never played football. I am lucky in that I push on and know many worse then myself. Boo made 2 million dollars in four years of playing. I have worked for 45 years and would be lucky to have earned 1 million.
maybe this needs to be advertised to the high schoolers, college and rookie pros so they can understand what they have to look forward to. You don’t take up a dangerous occupation and expect others to pay for your poor decision the rest of your life. A bull rider does not get this type of help! Deep sea divers don’t get it! Only in politics doe they get a golden parachute to keep them comfy!
my point is not to say the owners should not be helping them but rather I do not feel sorry for them. Sad yes but not sorry. I guess I am a jerk!

While at work in a nursing home over the last 4 years I have contracted Covid 3 times missing 4 weeks of work. Yes, I knew working in healthcare was hazardous. One of the reasons I accepted this career was feeling like I would be compensated for work-related health issues. I had to fight for it but I got 2 1/2 weeks workers comp payments. The other days were mandatory 3-day deductible on all comp claims

Workers Comp is insurance just like health insurance and auto insurance. The employees and employers both pay commensurately higher premiums for dangerous jobs.

It is assumed by both parties that playing in the NFL is dangerous. This does not excuse the owners and the insurance companies from paying work-related claims and the doctor changing Williams’ rating to 24 from 27 is fraudulent.

 

[St4ever]

While at work in a nursing home over the last 4 years I have contracted Covid 3 times missing 4 weeks of work. Yes, I knew working in healthcare was hazardous. One of the reasons I accepted this career was feeling like I would be compensated for work-related health issues. I had to fight for it but I got 2 1/2 weeks workers comp payments. The other days were mandatory 3-day deductible on all comp claims

Workers Comp is insurance just like health insurance and auto insurance. The employees and employers both pay commensurately higher premiums for dangerous jobs.

It is assumed by both parties that playing in the NFL is dangerous. This does not excuse the owners and the insurance companies from paying work-related claims and the doctor changing Williams’ rating to 24 from 27 is fraudulent.

You are right but also remember that everyday people deal with these same issues with their medical and or workers compensation claims. Blame the politicians and the insurance companies also.

 

[saintmdterps]

You are right but also remember that everyday people deal with these same issues with their medical and or workers compensation claims. Blame the politicians and the insurance companies also.

Yes we have to fight to get paid too. The insurance companies bank on us not fighting

 

[longtime lurker]

This reminds me of what my dad had to go through when he was dying and having to deal with the VA for benefits. I hope that Boo’s long journey finally comes to an end and he’s properly compensated for his issues. We are pulling for you and the thousands of other players hurting out there.

 

[Trey W.]

I feel for these players, I really do but in regards to Williams current issues, I personally wake up with the same issues, been doing so for the last 20+ years and I never played football. I am lucky in that I push on and know many worse then myself. Boo made 2 million dollars in four years of playing. I have worked for 45 years and would be lucky to have earned 1 million.
maybe this needs to be advertised to the high schoolers, college and rookie pros so they can understand what they have to look forward to. You don’t take up a dangerous occupation and expect others to pay for your poor decision the rest of your life. A bull rider does not get this type of help! Deep sea divers don’t get it! Only in politics doe they get a golden parachute to keep them comfy!
my point is not to say the owners should not be helping them but rather I do not feel sorry for them. Sad yes but not sorry. I guess I am a jerk!

Or try being a retired Soldier going through the VA!

While I do feel bad for these guys, even the players on the practice squad make more than probably 80-90% of everyone else. Instead of living the high life they should have been saving some of that money like regular workers try to do.

 

[SaintsMan209]

Seeing and reading things like this makes me somewhat ashamed to support the NFL. I used to cheer for Eddie "Boo" Williams and to see him in this situation makes my heart break. While I know that this could be anyone's fate, I think it especially hurts knowing the guy took so many hard hits. I realize they knew what they were getting into and all that but still, like the NFL should be giving this guy 10K a month for life so he doesn't end up homeless or worse. The NFL makes BILLIONS and they should take care of these foot soldiers.

 

[St. Geezy]

It’s almost like a club of 32 tax exempt billionaires is evil.

They’re not tax exempt. The “NFL,” as in the league/league office, is tax exempt because it is a non-profit entity.

The 32 teams are the for-profit entities, and pay taxes.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

Or try being a retired Soldier going through the VA!

While I do feel bad for these guys, even the players on the practice squad make more than probably 80-90% of everyone else. Instead of living the high life they should have been saving some of that money like regular workers try to do.

I can't agree with this. Every argument you make about a player can be stated to anyone else in terms of spending and saving. It shouldn't matter what a person does for a living. It's a benefit they're entitled to and they should be able to access it if needed without having to worry about the fraudulent crap like what the league is doing.

 

[Brandon13]

Bountygate occurred in vain on all accounts.

Good to know..

 

[Trey W.]

I can't agree with this. Every argument you make about a player can be stated to anyone else in terms of spending and saving. It shouldn't matter what a person does for a living. It's a benefit they're entitled to and they should be able to access it if needed without having to worry about the fraudulent crap like what the league is doing.

I never said they don’t deserve to be taken care of. Just saying they aren’t the only ones who aren’t. All I’m saying is NFL players make a significantly higher salary than the vast majority of people in the world. A practice squad player makes over $200,000 a year. The Vet. Minimum salary is &870,000.

So yes, I do feel bad for these players because they should be taken care of for making the NFL and owners billions of dollars. But we also have homeless military veterans, disable police and firemen who made a small fraction of these players salaries who are also being neglected.

 

[Merleaux]

I feel for these players, I really do but in regards to Williams current issues, I personally wake up with the same issues, been doing so for the last 20+ years and I never played football. I am lucky in that I push on and know many worse then myself. Boo made 2 million dollars in four years of playing. I have worked for 45 years and would be lucky to have earned 1 million.
maybe this needs to be advertised to the high schoolers, college and rookie pros so they can understand what they have to look forward to. You don’t take up a dangerous occupation and expect others to pay for your poor decision the rest of your life. A bull rider does not get this type of help! Deep sea divers don’t get it! Only in politics doe they get a golden parachute to keep them comfy!
my point is not to say the owners should not be helping them but rather I do not feel sorry for them. Sad yes but not sorry. I guess I am a jerk!

I respect your opinion, but don’t really understand this comment, You don’t take up a dangerous occupation and expect others to pay for your poor decision the rest of your life. What poor decision did he make?