Why doesn't the NFL have a better union for injured and retired players?

Re: Eric Dickerson interview. Can something be done by football fans?

Why doesn't the NFL have a better union for injured and retired players?basketball tickets

It is very sad to see. I have read stories of dozens, if not hundreds, of former NFL players who are now seriously suffering from physical injuries sustained during their playing careers, many whom are broke and disabled. Active players are required to contribute an average of $82,000 to the retired players fund in order to help out their predecessors, but it seems that is not nearly enough.

At recent congressional hearings, lawmakers heard that only 317 retired players have been approved for and receive disability benefits, totaling approximately $20 million a year. While that sounds like a lot of money, that averages out to a more modest $63,000 per disabled player per year. A Senate subcommittee is scheduled to hold another hearing Sept. 18.

Another problem is that full pension payouts begin at age 55, which coincidentally is the life expectancy of an NFL player, a full 20 years less than an average male.

The owners, teams and player's association has to do more to help its former players out. There is so much money being made in the sport and yet once these guys are unable to make a block or return a punt, the league abandons and forgets about them. It's a real shame.

Why doesn't the NFL have a better union for injured and retired players?nba warriors ,nba teams

You would think that they would be smart enough to save their money while they had it instead of blowing it on cocaine and monstrous houses. Furthermore why should we the fans do anything about it? Sorry but I got bills to pay too it's not my fault some stupid sweatmonger was too god damn dumb with his money to put some in a bank and decided to buy bling bling instead.
The Union sucks because it is just that, a Union. They look out for themselves. Since those guys were never PART of the Union it is hard to get the Union to listen to them.
no kiddin I'm with above. they already get too much money cause hundreds of people think it's important pay them to toss around a ball

Maybe they should invest thier paychecks in better health insurance themelves instead of gold chains and cocaine.

What about when I get injured? I got nothin
they are paid an ungodly amount of money while they play, so what now, they need a pension?
The 2 people above are wrong. The people in most need of a pension, or help in general, played years back when they didnt get paid a half million to ride the bench. It is rediculous that they don't have a better union. Some of them can't even walk. Think about it, a player 20 years ago getting a million bucks was unheard of, but surgery and medication needed for them today has to cost a ton. Ive paid 250 bucks to see a doctor cause I felt sick, these guys are going to a doc to see if they'll be able to walk again.
Why don't the players have better sense? Didn't their mamas teach them to save a percentage out of each check?

Most of them now could be millionaires if they just would save or invest their millions while still playing. Maybe if they didn't want so damn much money to play, there would be money in a fund just for them. Don't get me wrong now, I love the game of football, I just don't think they should get paid more for 1 game that I can make in 10 years.
first of all its an assoiation not a union,i think they do just fine.if they blow all their money why should the fans feel like we owe them.they have a pension plan. how many fans have a pension plan ? after 3 yrs they are vested.
even the guys from the old days hadcollegedegrees and had jobs after their playing days were over most play in the nfl less than 5 years.what did they do after they lefy the nfl?did they not have insurance from their real jobs?social security?and the players from the 70's till present went on strike several times demanding more money and free agency NOT a better pension plan.in other wordsa they sold out their future for money and then blew that money and now that the future is here they want to blame evryone else but themselves.if they want to redo the pension make it for everyone who is playing now and not the playeres from the past.the old players are responsible for their own mess because they didnt look ahead to the future and plan for it like the rest of the world has to do.
no.
when thy went on strike a few years ago guy like joe montana cross the picket line and broke the union Yell thy still have one but it worthless I work for the steel worker union and thy support us better then the player union baseball ans basketball have a much better union
These guys make allot of money. They should have enough sense to take care of them selves and get some good insurance. They also should invest well so they don't run out of money. I can not feel sorry for some one that has everything then blows it on stupid stuff.