APTechnically, the window for joining the concussion settlement closed when Judge Anita Brody banged the gavel and approved preliminarily the plan for compensating retired players who have or who will develop, over the next 65 years, specific cognitive impairments.
But with the settlement still pending and amid a belief that neither the NFL nor the plaintiffs would quibble with adding players who retire before the settlement receives final approval later this year, any veteran player who has been cut should strongly consider calling it quits.
Some were cut because having them on the Week One roster guarantees their full 2014 salary, as a practical matter. Which means that, after the first game of the season, they may be able to find new homes. Even then, the option of playing for one more season at a low salary should be weighed against the long-term protection that would come from entering the concussion settlement, assuming that they can still qualify.
For players who have had lengthy careers, the decision becomes even more important. One of the major factors when it comes to receiving benefits will be length of NFL service; the longer the player played, the more he and his family will get if he later develops ALS or Alzheimer’s or other qualifying cognitive conditions.
The challenge for veteran players will be to do something that NFL players often don’t do — think about the future. The lure of one more season in the spotlight can be very strong, but the ability to obtain compensation without having to prove that the condition was caused by football should be even stronger.
And those who choose to retire, like linebacker James Harrison did Saturday, should immediately take steps to join the settlement.
Look at Florio the ambulance chaser trying to talk more people into lawsuits.
Is there a contractual (CBA?) reason to assume that players retiring over the next decade will have a higher hurtle to clear?
Spoken like a true lawyer.
Hurry up your chance to file a absurd claim is almost over. Let the ZnFL pay for your retirement since you weren’t aware of the possibility of injury while rackling with your head
Something tells me James Harrison is going to have some… cognitive impairments down the road.
At what point is a concussion in sports like smoking ? Go for it but the risks are well known.
Look at Wes Welker is it the NFL’s fault if he keeps playing? No. While I think the NFL and the NFLPA should help retired players the bottomline is these conditions are not just related to FB. Non FB people get it too. So it’s a risk but personal responsibility has to come into play.
I wonder if james harrison’s future brain injury related dementia can be connected to the pittsburgh steelers adherence to systematic steroid and growth hormone doping by federally indicted and fired pittsburgh steelers team doctor richard rydze.
Harrison should have to help FUND the concussion settlements. After years of head hunting he should take from the need a penny jar? Don’t think so.
Now that he is retired, Michael Sam should join the concussion settlement.
Yeah screw trying to do what they like for a living and get a job with another team, go after that settlement cash!
Unreal! Get paid millions to play a game then blow all your money before you reach age 35. No problem though, just blame everyone else for your life decisions and make money in the process.
Sign me up! I used to get paid to wrestle alligators until one bit my arm off. I had no idea that could happen so I sued the entire state of Florida.
That pretty much proves what most fans of the NFL already knew about Harrision, he’s always been a bully, but like most bullies, he’s also a punk.
If anything, Harrison should be one of the prosecuted defendants standing side-by-side with the NFL considering he has always been one of the worst offenders.
You guys it’s not a scam to go after settlement money. The NFL has done many injustices to the players over the years. Don’t even try to tell me that the players are over paid, they have shortest careers of any athletes and unguarenteed contacts. Plus no amount of money is worth these kind of these kind of brain problems.
Nevrmind these lawyer hating ignorami. File a new suit against those lying weasel owners. They knew about CTE and never told anyone just so they could line their pockets with more gold.
Its disgusting “legal strategy” and thinking like this that have already largely ruined the game.
Sorry, but has James Harrison filed to join the lawsuit? I missed that story.
The lawsuit is nothing but a ridiculous cash grab.
Every player knows the risks and they kept playing. Football isn’t a mandatory occupation. It’s voluntary.
daveshingle says:
Aug 31, 2014 11:01 AM
You guys it’s not a scam to go after settlement money. The NFL has done many injustices to the players over the years. Don’t even try to tell me that the players are over paid, they have shortest careers of any athletes and unguarenteed contacts. Plus no amount of money is worth these kind of these kind of brain problems.
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If no amount of money is worth these kind of these kind of brain problems, why are they playing?