Posted on 02/03/2007 9:30:54 AM PST by JZelle
Forty years ago, Willie Wood ran the other way in glory. The slick Green Bay free safety snatched a Len Dawson pass and raced 50 yards, as the Packers sprinted to an easy victory in Super Bowl I against Dawson's Chiefs.
Now, many contem-poraries and friends see shame as they accuse the NFL and its players association of running away from legendary players like him.
Wood, 69, is certainly in no shape to chase anyone these days.
(Excerpt) Read more at sun-sentinel.com ...
His monthly pension is around $200.
Welcome to the real world boys. Your glory days are over, deal with it.
That is low. If the NFL doesn't pay for it, you and I will. Which one would you rather happen?
Laying the groundwork for the government to take over another pension plan?
A lot of corporations offer no retirement benefits at all anymore.
I know...Just talking to my cousin yesterday who wants to retire, but the health care costs would be more than she could afford. I pay for my own health care. I have a huge deductible, but I'm gambling I'll be ok. The problem with ball players is that they have obvious pre existing health issues and probably can't get health insurance or, if they do, it would be astronomical. You can't tell me the NFL can't take care of their own.
"Low"? Maybe. Truthful? Absolutely.
"If the NFL doesn't pay for it, you and I will. Which one would you rather happen?" I'd rather they pay their own way like free, responsible American men do. Why are Jerry Kramer, Bart Starr and Fuzzy Thurston not begging for handouts? Because they are MEN who took care of themselves and thought about their futures.
People need to learn to save as much as they can. If their employer doesn't offer a 401(k) then they should consider an IRA, CD's, bonds, stocks, lots of things at their disposal (and if their employer does offer one, they should consider those things anyway). Social Security will eventually go away -- the Dems can't afford to let the Republicans fix it, and the Republicans definitely won't let the Dems jack up taxes through the roof. Save, save, save, or pay the price later.
He knew that his glory days were limited, and prepared for it.
We already do. The guy is 69. I'm sure he is on social security of various types, so his monthly income is certainly more than the $200 from his "NFL pension".
It's hard to develop a lot of sympathy for professional athletes who have made big bucks and were too stupid to invest enough of it to assure an adequate retirement income.
I see you're ex-Navy. May I ask where you get YOUR health insurance from?
The NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry these days. Guys like Willie Wood laid the foundation for that. I don't see why the league can't help these guys out. He gets a measly $200 per month pension? And is practically incapicitated? And he's not the only one - John Unitas' right arm was just about totally useless when he retired and he fought the league for years to no avail.
I'm sure the NFL could, but a collective bargaining agreement is a contract. I'm sure the current players in the NFL could create a fund out of the millions they make as well.
Let's say you worked for Exxon for 4-6 years, retiring at the age of 31. Do you think they're responsible for paying you for the rest of your life just because they can afford it?
I worked in Gerry Philben's Goal Post Restaurant on LI in 1970. He was a pretty smart guy who was careful with his NFL money. I also knew a few players during the 60s. Everyone had an off-season job, usually selling cars.
We already pay for everyone who "works" at gov.con. We pay for anyone who refuses to work. So why dont we pay for everyone else?
I agree, and I don't think most people understand what they are watching on Sundays. The game is brutal. The physical beating catches up with the players. They didn't make big bucks 40 years ago, and careers were even shorter then due to less advanced medical care. The league and the NFLPA will likely address the situation. Every fan should READ North Dallas Forty (not watch the silly movie) to get a sampling of what the game is/was like.
What have you sacrificed to earn yours? You had the opportunity to serve your nation in the armed forces for 20 or more years. Why didn't you? Or do you believe in Hillarycare? You know: come one, come all, no sacrifice required! It's FREEEEE!
In your case we'll call it Rudy-Care.
The problem is there was no way of knowing that the cost of health care would get so out of hand. I agree with you, about your Exxon analogy. I do think this is something that the player's union should address. Actors do it for their own...in my opinion, the player association should address it.
Here we go...I don't begrudge him anything...I just think it's disingenuous for someone who gets unlimited health care for life courtesy of the government, to judge someone else's worries.
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