House Judiciary Committee Requests Report on NFL Injuries

September 18, 2007 -- (Washington, DC) - The House Judiciary Committee announced today that it has requested a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report to examine the types of health problems suffered by current and former National Football League (NFL) players. House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Commercial and Administrative Law (CAL) Subcommittee Chairwoman Linda Sánchez met with NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw today to discuss the study and learn more about how the NFLPA is addressing the problems cited during the subcommittee’s June 26th hearing, “The National Football League’s System for Compensating Retired Players: An Uneven Playing Field?”

In that hearing, former players Mike Ditka, Harry Carson, Curt Marsh, and Brent Boyd detailed injuries sustained during their playing days that continue to hamper them today. They also recounted the complex process that former players must decipher in order to obtain disability benefits.

"Professional football has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry," Conyers said, "and I hope the NFL and the players' union can come together to address the needs of the former players. I welcome Mr. Upshaw's willingness to provide the materials necessary for Congress to gain a clearer picture of the disability and pension issues facing retired players.”

“Our June hearing exploring the difficulties former players faced when navigating the disability benefit application process exposed serious questions about why only a few former players received disability benefits in such a dangerous sport,” said Sánchez. “Because the plight of former players has sparked significant congressional interest, the CRS study will provide the facts we need as we consider what steps the Congress could take on this issue in the future.”

CAL Ranking Member Chris Cannon (R-UT) said: "We had a very pleasant conversation with NLFPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw today. His candor and willingness to meet is greatly appreciated. Chairman Conyers’ patient and methodical gathering of the facts should reassure all parties in this matter and the CRS report would greatly enhance the fact finding nature of the investigation thus far."

The report, requested on a bipartisan basis, will among other things provide Congress and the public an objective analysis of the types and severity of injuries suffered by NFL players, the benefits programs available to injured players, and the barriers to former players seeking benefits. In addition, the report will delve into related issues such as the problem of concussions and its long-term effects on players.

Source: House Judiciary Committee

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