John Kerry: Kerry Warns NFL to Help Retired Players or Face Congressional Action

"If the NFL doesn't get its house in order, I am prepared to introduce legislation to create an oversight commission to look at the actions of the retirement board."

09/18/2007 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator John Kerry today told NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he wants the league to take seriously complaints from injured retired players, who say they receive little medical guidance, counseling or assistance once their playing days are over and they live with debilitating injuries.

“I call on the NFL to get its house in order,” said Kerry. “I hope both the NFL and the Players Union will work together to eliminate any unnecessary red tape and provide the appropriate resources so that former players, who did so much to make the game what it is today, receive adequate compensation. If it doesn’t I am prepared to introduce legislation to create an oversight commission to look at the actions of the retirement board. They must clean it up, or we will.”

Kerry said that if the NFL does not address this issue, he will introduce legislation that would create a commission to provide oversight of the NFL’s Retirement Board. Kerry’s remarks were made during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the issue. Kerry is a senior member of the committee.

Senator Kerry’s statement as prepared is below:

I first want to welcome the retired players who are here with us today. We thank you for your commitment to the game. You built the game of football with your backs and your bodies, and we are honored to have you here.

We have heard a lot about the way the NFL has failed to take care of its retired players, particularly its disabled players – some of whom have long term disabilities from the injuries they sustained while playing the game. It is clear, the system has failed.

I am glad we are holding this hearing to find out why – and to explore the system of benefits available to players. Today we will hear from retired players – the fathers of the game – who have been let down by the system.

Their stories demonstrate a serious and immediate need by the National Football League and the Players Union to start working together to resolve the issue.

Football is a dangerous sport. There is no question about it. Nearly half of all players retire because of injury. Sixty percent of players suffer a concussion and at least one quarter suffer multiple concussions.

Through the years, too many players who have been sidelined due to injury have been pushed back into the field of play without consideration of the long-term consequences of their injuries. While the NFL has been making progress on this front in recent years, I hope we can agree that all former players who need disability assistance should receive it.
Unfortunately, despite the obvious violent nature of football, the statistics on how many former players qualify for disability benefits are shockingly low.

The numbers are in dispute, but we are told that only 317 former players out of nearly 10,000 receive long-term disability benefits. That translates to less than 3% of retired players. Out of 1052 applications filed for benefits, well more than half are denied.

This points to a system that is broken. The players who built the game deserve more than delay and bureaucratic red tape – or worse, as some allege collusion and corruption in the process.

At a bare minimum –we need information and we need oversight. The National Football League, which exists today with unprecedented wealth and popularity, must resolve this. I hope both the NFL and the Players Union will work together to eliminate the unnecessary red tape and administrative burdens and provide resources so that former players, who did so much to make the game what it is today, receive adequate compensation.

I call on the NFL to get its house in order. If it doesn’t I am prepared to introduce legislation to create an oversight commission to look at the actions of the retirement board. They must clean it up, or we will.

Witnesses

Mr. Daryl Johnston
FOX Sports Broadcaster
and former NFL Player, Dallas Cowboys Opening Remarks

Mr. Brent Boyd
former NFL Player, Minnesota Vikings

Mr. Bill Bain
former NFL Player, Los Angeles Rams

Mr. Garrett Webster
son of NFL Player Mr. Mike Webster, Pittsburgh Steelers

Mr. Dave Duerson
Trustee for the Burt Bell/Pete Rozelle Retirement Plan
and former NFL Player, Chicago Bears

Mr. Gene Upshaw
Executive Director
National Football League Players Association

Mr. Roger Goodell
Commissioner
National Football League

Source: Senator John Kerry

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