NFL retirees want fair treatment from league, union (4 time pro bowler on SS disability)

[Omaha Steve]

http://fourthandgoalunites.com/2011/03/11/nfl-retirees-want-fair-treatment-from-league-union/

Snip: “The only place we’ve ever been effective is in court,” said Parrish, who initiated a successful 2008 class-action lawsuit against the union, forcing a $28 million settlement. “Taxpayers should be applauding us. They’re the ones on the hook for probably a billion dollars in disability bills that could be paid for by professional football.”

One of those players getting federal disability payments is Jimmie Giles, a four-time Pro Bowl tight end who spent 14 years in the NFL, mostly as a beefy blocker on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For nearly seven years, Social Security disability payments have been tied to his football injuries.

He’s suing the union for failing to aid him with degenerative orthopedic ailments he and Social Security say were caused by the NFL. The union has blamed his problems on obesity throughout his adult years — a problem Giles’ Georgia attorney, John Hogan, also said was caused by the teams, which required his client to stay too hefty to play.

Although he has sought to meet with League and union officials to discuss reforms to the way healthcare, pension and disability benefits are handled so that there are fewer lawsuits, Hogan says he was rebuffed and Giles’ lawsuit grinds on in federal court.

FULL story at link.

[old mark]

1. He is certainly not alone.There are a lot of retired players who are disabled

for life and have nothing left to show for their committment to football.


mark