The players that were involved in the suit that spoke about it said the goal really wasn’t a wad of cash, it was getting the NFL to put brain damage from concussions under the game related injury umbrella which gets them access to a lot of medical treatment. The league had been avoiding that because they’d been insisting for years there were no long term side effects to concussions. The actual dollar value is meaningless, the important part is now brain damage is considered just like knee damage, covered as part of the retired player package.
Thanks. That makes more sense. However, if the dollar amount didn't really matter, then why not put a lot more of the settlement into research or a medical fund etc.?
Interestingly, soccer has similar issues.
Personally, although baseball is dwindling in enthusiasm among kids, it's still in my view the best choice for a sport that allows you to generally stay healthy. Great perks too. Go to Florida or Arizona in the late winter for ‘spring’ training. You don't play in bad weather except for those early spring games when it's cold and the bat stings in your hands. You get to sit down in the dugout and watch for half of each game (excluding your at bats and time on the base paths). If you're a pitcher you only pitch every 3-4 days at most (unless you're a reliever). Unless you play in the World Series you're off from late September until probably February. If you can throw a knuckleball you can possibly play until you're 50 (or possibly beyond). etc. etc.