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NFL got very very lucky with this settlement but I don't understand why you'd be upset unless you were directly affected by this. Those that were affected (4500+ in class action) should receive about $175k per player which helps them NOW and not years from now when it goes to court where there will be a million motions to delay this, that and the other thing. Did they get short changed? You bet but to some of these players, the $ will help them now to get the help they need and hopefully prolong their life.
Many careers have inherent risks. These "guys" already get paid millions for playing a game. All part of an entertainment show. If I was to be upset, it would be that persons watching football should get paid a few million each too. Only fair, right?
Many careers have inherent risks. These "guys" already get paid millions for playing a game. All part of an entertainment show. If I was to be upset, it would be that persons watching football should get paid a few million each too. Only fair, right?
The simple fact is that the vast majority of these guys do not get paid millions for playing a game. The average salary in the NFL is $1.9 million, but the median salary is around $770,000 with rookies earning $405,000. The average player will only play for 3.5 years. These are the CURRENT salaries. If we go back to the 90's or early 00's many players were earning well under $400,000 a year. There is also a major growing trend of income inequality between the players. The top 20% of NFL players earn around 63% of the salary pie up from around 50% in 2000. Basically, the players most likely to suffer traumatic head injuries (which are the special teams guys) are paid the least, have the shortest careers and have no recourse when they have lifelong problems from playing.
Of course, it's not all the greedy NFL either. The player's union had an opportunity to argue for healthcare benefits, pensions funds, etc. to be established to help take care of retired players, especially ones who played in the 70's and 80's when salaries where nowhere near enough to sustain a lower end player for life, especially if they had medical problems. They basically flubbed to get more money for the current players. As a former college football player who knows a few guys who went pro I think the NFL AND the player's union need to do more for former players.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cavaturaccioli
Professional football players don't know they're prone to head injury? Really?
Next, boxers will want compensation for broken noses.
Ever hear of something called "Assumption of Risk"?
I've never met a player that didn't know that head injuries were a part of the game and a very real risk. What wasn't known for the vast majority of them was how serious repetitive concussions could be and that the effects may not show up for years. What also was commonplace was a downplaying of those injuries by doctors and trainers that worked for the teams. Getting your "bell rung" was a normal thing and not something to worry about. You have a pounding headache all the time? Here have some drugs and man up. The way players get repeat injections in their joints so they can play through pain was the way head injuries were treated. A big difference though was that the players knew the risks with blowing out a knee and accepted it, most had no idea about the brain injuries and trusted what the doctors told them. Many more never told anyone of their problems over fears of being cut.
I don't think that the former players deserve hundreds of millions of dollars in a settlement. As you said, they certainly knew there was some degree of risk. However, I do think the NFL owes it to their former players to provide some degree of stability for them whether financially through a pension system or at the very least through providing healthcare.
That isn't even getting into the numerous kids laying their lives on the line for college sports teams who never made pro who are dealing with many of these same issues.
[quote=captne76;31200509]Many careers have inherent risks. These "guys" already get paid millions for playing a game. All part of an entertainment show. If I was to be upset, it would be that persons watching football should get paid a few million each too. Only fair, right?[/Q
NFL players from the 1960-1970s were fortunate if they ever made anything approaching $100k/season ( hence the proliferation of off-season jobs), and most played for much less than that..
Last edited by MassVt; 08-30-2013 at 09:25 AM..
Reason: separation
Today's settlement was a huge joke. The NFL paid pennies on a multi-billion industry.
I am done.
like said before, how does it affect you? is your brother an ex NFL player? or you? you will still continue to watch football
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