Spor_tees Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 I don't know if any of you guys have been paying attention to some of the former NFL player's plights to change the structure of the NFLPA benefits for retired players, but there was an article on ESPN detailing the plight of former Bengals OL Brian DeMarco and how he became homeless because he can not work and he spent all his money on medical bills that the NFL would not cover because he was too young. Actually a pretty sad story, but what I don't understand is how these guys can't keep insurance? I mean even people that are unemployed can buy medical insurance.DeMarco Article @ ESPN.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofLnMU Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Actually a pretty sad story, but what I don't understand is how these guys can't keep insurance? I mean even people that are unemployed can buy medical insurance.DeMarco Article @ ESPN.comI didn't see the story, but I'll bet it's something like a pre-existing condition. If you have a degenerative disease already, you either are prohibited from buying from some companies or it's price prohibitive.There have to be some insurance guys here. Chime in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The PatternMaster Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Actually a pretty sad story, but what I don't understand is how these guys can't keep insurance? I mean even people that are unemployed can buy medical insurance.DeMarco Article @ ESPN.comI didn't see the story, but I'll bet it's something like a pre-existing condition. If you have a degenerative disease already, you either are prohibited from buying from some companies or it's price prohibitive.There have to be some insurance guys here. Chime in.I'm not an insurance guy but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night so here's my 2 cents. For all of the money generated by the NFL there is no reason why former players should have to go through this, this is deporable and shines a bad light on NFL and the players union. One of the reasons why NFL players make so much is because of the health risk involved in playing in the NFL, the life expectantacy for NFL is well below the national average. Especailly when you consider that these guys are good overall shape it proves that playing in the NFL takes years off of your life. The NFL has a responsiblity to former players and part of that responsibility should be offer them healthcare coverage once their playing days are over. Yes it would incur a cost to ownership but these are peoples lives we're talking about here. If Goodell wants really make some significant changes to the NFL he should do something to protect former players and revise the company policy on concussions. Stop playing with peoples lives and treat them respect and diginty by being truthful about the effects of playing in the NFL. Also there will always be someone who wants more, it's called greed and it's a basic human emotion that has been around for quite some time. Greed is what stopping the NFL from giving former players comprehensive health coverage and it's a shame because the NFL is experiencing it's most successful period ever with billion dollar TV contracts, it's own TV network, games being played overseas, and lucrative pay-per view contracts; just to name a few of the NFL's revenue sources. My point is the money is there, it's just not going to the people who need it the most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 It appears the union hasn't been quite as greedy as it's being made out to be...still, long-term health coverage is a good idea.http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2901302 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinneymulleT Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Yes with all the dollars generated, the nflpa should take care of tenured players who retire. But the NFLPA only represents current members. So, the only people to blame are the former players who did take steps to protect their furture when they were members. It was all give me the money now. Then they spent it and now complain that in essence they didnt protect themselves. Sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandwedge Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Not sure how they are going to fix this...I'm sure the current union can vote something in to protect their futures, but it won't help the already has beens.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengal4life Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 I'm not real sure on this but I thought I read somewhere that NFL players can retire after 4 years of play and get a pensiant. I have no links to back this up so it's just speculation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Bengals_Fan Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 It appears the union hasn't been quite as greedy as it's being made out to be...still, long-term health coverage is a good idea.http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2901302Yeah, it sounds like this guy might be milking it for the press and some "go away" money. If former teammates are hooking him up with jobs and he's blowing them off, I'm not feeling sympathetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sportsdoc Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 DeMarco started all 16 games as a rookie for Jacksonville in 1995. Before the 1999 season he signed a three-year, $3.1 million free-agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, but he was cut after one season because of back and elbow injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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