No Contract, No Insurance: NFL Players Battle for Benefits

Despite emerging from tiny Amherst College, Alex Bernstein had a typical NFL career. He bounced around as a backup for the better part of four seasons before suffering a career-ending injury. What he met upon leaving the NFL was a fight with teams for the benefits that would allow him to live a normal life. In this VICE Sports exclusive he discussed the world of back room handshakes and legal battles that awaits NFL veterans.
(Editor's note: Read our Battle for Benefits series HERE: sports.vice.com/en_us/topic/b...)
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[@Toykio]

The 32 dislikes are from the owner of each NFL team.

[@Toykio]

@Dr. Loomis Well seems like it lasted 2 months. But all things must come to an end i guess?

[@JoeyKO757]

My question is why would anybody thumbs down this testimony.

[@JoeyKO757]

Cal answered my question.

[@adamg7984]

Yeah some people are so ignorant, stupid or short sighted that they think a football player doesn't deserve the same rights as an average salary man. And the fact that Alex Bernstein had a metaphorical gun put to his head, in the form of the end of his football career, makes a "no gun to the head" defense look even more childish. The fact that paying the rest of the man's contract, which was below $1 million wouldn't be a speck on any NFL team's financial radar should really indict the NFL and be a prime example of how fucking greedy the 1% is in the States. And It's the 1% who influence the laws and guidelines that let the NFL fuck small names like Alex Bernstein. God Bless America!

[@FirstLast-rd6hw]

@Toykio there are more than 32 people who own nfl teams..nice try moron

[@BucciTenToes1010]

NFL: Are you okay ? Player: no I broke my neck . NFL: well inject this substance in you neck and get your ass back out there or you will never be in this league again ! Player : ....fuck

[@mikenelson8377]

Brayden Cromar if you actually watched the video you’d understand the comment.

[@TheFootballstar5588]

Brayden Cromar why is your iq so low, that comment made perfect sense.

[@wildwoman54]

What Alex said is exactly right, especially for the pre-93ers and only recently in the last 8-9 years was 5 years of medical added to the players contracts thru the collective bargaining agreements for when a player leaves the game. When my husband Jeff Winans played there was no medical and they did he same thing to him, except our workman's comp took 8 years to get and was only $8,000 lump sum. Jeff was disabled from football at 30 years old and was never able to work again. He passed away three years ago. There are so many players out there like Alex, Like my husband Jeff and the family is Lost in Transition. These are the kind of tings we are still fighting for. Blessings Alex to you and your family. Brandi Winans

[@andrewhawkinsiii]

Sorry for your loss. I appreciate you telling your story.

[@AnArchyRulzz]

Pretty sure those benefits are only for players who play for a certain number of years, which most players never make it to.

[@willie838]

Reading this makes me profoundly sad..... I can only piece together his life through logic and guess work but...... He was blessed to have you stay by his side his whole life. You were a partner, a rock he knew he could trust to support him and in the end when he couldn't fight any more.... You fought for him. My condolences and thanks for sharing your story.

[@packergeek10]

Wow that is fucking rough. I'm sorry for your loss.

[@larrymitchell9897]

I just hope people who root for those players on the field needs to understand that inner corporate workings of the NFL and see how they use their players as profit for owners who been sitting in the skyboxes all the time also Mrs. Winans my condolences for your husband and God bless you and your family.

[@SWiGA]

People don't seem to understand. You can't just get medical insurance while your'e already suffering from an injury. Companies will deny you. This man was doing a job, was injured because of the work he was doing, and told "Too bad, you've been let go, oh and we're not paying for your medical bills." It's wrong and unethical. It doesn't matter how much he's made. Lets say at least 400k a year, take away 50% for taxes, another 10% for an agent and, what do you have left for an enormous amount of medical expenses, including living expenses? A lot of that money has to go towards taking care of your body and training. Everyone is acting like they have all the answers to life. I'm sure it'd be different if it were you being taken advantage of.

[@stevejohnson978]

+Brandon Payan You called it Brandon...Most people today lack "Empathy" so that's where the self-entitled comments come from. They are rampant in all forms of social media. It's odd that you never hear so many people speak their mind in public as you do online.

[@ivandaniel2596]

now please comment who had the gun pointed at his head and made him sign the contract.

[@ivandaniel2596]

waiting... ohh yea, you can't b/c players sign and agree to it on their own free will.

[@JJ-03]

@@ivandaniel2596 your an idiot

[@joee1213]

Brandon Payan he doesn’t pay 50% of his income to taxes douche pickle

[@Veyronp87]

agree with him. and all of you idiots saying he gets paid millions, newsflash: not every player makes millions. and a lot of you have no clue how much serious medical work costs

[@PlumberWRX]

Scout team players make 500k

[@jeremyperez2012]

+Mrdontmess1996 says who?

[@akehres11]

+Jeremy Perez Scout team members make under $90k a season. $5200 a week.

[@drkviol8013]

+Veyronp87 Right, not every player makes millions but they get to play football for a living, their choice to play, now it's time for them to suffer the consequences.

[@benandreas369]

+drk Violet Many of them dont have many choices dude....jesus. Its either play football...or pretty much starve..

[@ThePearguru98]

The fact that their contracts are non-guaranteed might be the most ludicrous part of this situation

[@ivandaniel2596]

why?

[@preposterousvitriolic1145]

Im guessing he was trying to make the team in preason thats why

[@AnArchyRulzz]

@@preposterousvitriolic1145 no, EVERY contract in NFL is not guaranteed. You only get all the money on a contract if you play out the whole contract, and they can cut you whenever and you don't get that money. The only money that matters when talking about NFL contracts is how much of their contract is guaranteed money.

[@DanRaidersWarriorsSharksGiants]

@@AnArchyRulzz As we have learned with AB even guaranteed money is not always literally guaranteed.He did not disclose the rape case to the Raiders and Pats? and based on NFL rules a player that doesnt inform teams of some things they are aware of can lose their guaranteed money too.

[@buckwildsrq]

Play baseball

[@rossnochimson6904]

He is absolutely right on this issue - MLB has lifetime medical, its a CRIME the NFL does not!

[@Galworld761]

MLB players live to life expectations. How many 90 year old NFL players do you see? The MLB costs are probably very close to average coverage. The NFL needs to structure a retirement fund or pension for these guys. Especially, the non millionaires.

[@pg2300]

Reading commenters here who keep thrashing the guy for him getting a million-dollar football contract is just sad, y'all are missing the point: the NFL keeps lying about CTE being a real risk while turning Football into a massive multibillion-dollar profitable religion-like industry.

[@DanRaidersWarriorsSharksGiants]

If you need a CTE report to convince you tackle football is dangerous than you were always a dumb jock. The NFL lying about it is wrong but the players are hypocrites too.Many play tackled football for 8 years or more before their first NFL game.You can have cte before your first NFL game. How many NFL players with cte sue their college,high school and pee wee team? There is men the same age as any ex NFL player who were good enough to play tackle football at every level who made the choice not to play too and some because they felt it was too dangerous or they cared more about their health. If any NFL player has no idea how dangerous football is to their long term health I would say it implies they are dumb.Some of them are dumb not to be mean but clearly, they are. Many tackle football players knew how dangerous tackle football was to their short and long term health way before they had any idea what cte even meant. This guys story in this video is much worse than that cte stuff.He was injured while at work and workers comp was justified and he was fired because he was hurt.I dont have a problem with the NFL trying to get him to settle but to say if he doesnt no team will sign you is just cold.

[@dudeseriously57]

Wow, I'm beginning to look at pro football in such a different light than a few years ago. So many aspects of it are just horrible. Thank goodness for intelligent players like this guy.

[@rhetrochips9471]

Its such a joke. NFL is worst thing in sports

[@joshuabunkers1494]

You do know the NFL is the only profession league in America that has opened up all their financial books (revenue) and guaranteed it's players get a cut (currently 48%) of ALL revenue.

[@VICESports]

In this VICE Sports exclusive Alex Bernstein discussed the world of back room handshakes and legal battles that awaits NFL veterans.

[@KevinCummingsFitness]

Crazy

[@blacksinback]

Love this series.. Freshman year bumped up to varsity as running back and middle linebacker first carry of game torn Acl Mcl and miniscus. 9 month recovery turned into 18. After those months I quit, tired of sitting on bench watching people play the game I loved and the game I was supposed to be in.. Series is all to real and all to saddening

[@dorianmucha9017]

Its outright disgusting how the NFL treats their players and former players

[@castrochristian103]

Wow that's powerful message just imagen the players who have yet to speak out

[@justinm5725]

Same thing that goes on in NCAA

[@AnArchyRulzz]

NCAA is even worse. Imagine the money these guys loss out on during the prime of their career because they are forced to play college ball. Probably plays a role in why so many players fizzle out in NFL.

[@GMAMEC]

Yes, I am watching Justin Fields 1/1/21

[@Jedda666]

That's some bs. Considering what the players go through in training camps just to get cut there should be more responsibility for the teams and the NFL for every guy they bring in, even if they don't end up getting a contract. These guys risk their whole future life to get a contract.

[@thewatcher4552]

Corporate greed at it's best!! The movie Concussion opened my eyes tremendously!!

[@TheLochs]

The NFL despite its monetary power is slowly losing the battle. CTE, Insurance, Pay Offs, etc. The public is learning more and more. It will die a slow death. Mother and fathers won't let their children play in a league were they are most likely to be treated like trash. Give it time, it will be done, OR the rules will change for a less brutal sport.

[@SillyGoose2024]

Re; Alex Berstein: Five years after retiring, Bernstein founded North Venture Partners, a software and technology incubator in Oakland, California. The 15-person company has launched or invested in 11 companies, including North Social, a Facebook design service that it sold for $25 million in February.

[@benrussell1476]

This series is important is the awareness of workers rights in America.

[@regulardude3693]

These people aren't workers they're players. And they make waaaay more than actual workers make.

[@BillShatner31]

Football is my absolute favorite sport to watch, but I will not be mad in the slightest if NFL players decide to go on strike in 2020 when the NFLPA contract renegotiations come around. Given all of this info coming out on CTE (which was also swept under the rug) and other medical/contractual/financial abuses that players are subjected to, I think they are absolutely justified in demanding a larger revenue share and fully guaranteed contracts like in the NBA. A common rebuttal to this point is "NFL can't guarantee all player salaries because they have 53-men rosters compared to 11 in the NBA", but I think this completely minimizes the disproportionate level of risk assumed by NFL players in relation to their share of the league's earning. In 2017, the NFL's gross revenue topped $13 Billion. The players' split is about 48% or around $200M a team. This may seem like a lot until you realize that owners are making 8-figure profits and adding even more than that to their net worth on a yearly basis simply by owning the team. Football players sacrifice pretty much their whole lives in order to play in the NFL: most forgo a degree or comprehensive education while playing for free in college (an arguably worse travesty in its own right), and risk a lifetime of crippling injuries and neuro-degenerative diseases. The fact that players have to give all of this and still have to worry about the league colluding to hide health risks and teams using injuries to unilaterally deprive them of their rightful earnings and future financial security is a total disgrace and a monument to corporate greed. As fans I feel like we should be supporting the players wholeheartedly, if not for altruistic reasons then at least for the simple fact that the sport's entertainment value is going to decline until player compensation accurately reflects the risks, as talented athletes in future generations will simply choose to play other sports.

[@nathanwebber8556]

Absolutely disgusting , I live in Australia & we play Rugby League & our competition the NRL never treats it's players like this the public in general wouldn't stand for it. What is the NFL players association doing ...... ??

[@darj617]

wait, what? is there part 2?

[@javiervazquez3948]

It’s the same thing as soccer i gotten strong arm by semi pro teams. They wouldn’t cover me for anything after I was done playing with the injuries I sustained with them.

[@Vendarize]

Coming from NZ a Lo of this stuff in the game is foreign to me, but I'm really beginning to see why so many are now prepared to sit out and not sign i.e Leveon

[@tommybrown187]

Far too many people who are jealous & envious of pro athletes in these comments. It makes them spiteful & irrational.

[@robert301990]

+tommybrown187 Full of them, fucking wankers.

[@ivandaniel2596]

I disagree, I think far too many people feel sorry for athletes who made a decision to play a violent game for a living.

[@DatBoi-mo9vc]

@@ivandaniel2596 you have no knowledge of football culture or the damage these men sustain at very young susceptible ages. You dont understand the toxicity and manipulation from these mens peers and the people they see as father figures and role models. You dont understand and i doubt you ever will. Good day.

[@poopenshnapples7160]

3:26 - Supply and demand

[@garglerock1627]

Interesting video

[@chrisdicenzo712]

I feel for every person dealing with post football issues!! My body is wrecked from playing tackle football my whole youth and up until I was 30. Never professional but in many "semi pro" arena leagues. So they have it much worse. But you have to know before you sign that contract what you're getting yourself into!!! Players have been saying the same things for years!! But college kids cant wait to sign! Money and fame will always win!!, Especially when football is the only way you're getting out and helping your family! Catch 22! But the NFL is rich and should help all their players!

[@jerryschutte6970]

I say Bravo Alex!! As a fan of the NFL I found myself beginning to have actual genuine caring feelings for the guys I rooted for. Many of them that aren't the Super stars get treated worse than livestock! It's the one sport I feel they should receive some type of compensation & health coverage say after 4 years in the league for the rest of their lives. I'm not talking about Millions but say an NFL player plays 4-5 years in the league then in 10 years has pain, health, mobility issues so bad they can't support themselves and their families than I'd like to see the NFLPA get these guys lifetime guaranteed benefits & health insurance. If the union has to make players have more money deducted during their playing days that's fine. As long as the league matches the players % put into this trust fund. I'd like to think if a player after his career is so damaged he can't earn a living that the players have say $50-60 Thousand a year in Monies available to them thru a FAIR disability compensation fund. What they gotta go thru now is 100% BULLSHIT!!! I'm a Veteran of the U.S. Navy. I served 4 years. I have paid health care the rest of my life. This problem is easily fixable. There's enough $$$ to fund this. I hope one day the NFLPA will finally look after the games warriors after their playing days are over!!!

[@tonygeinzer6034]

The Battle for Benefits is an issue most fans are cavalier to. I really think the cavalierity to the Health Care System, which is uncalled for, and worse, there's no Strong Arena League or Arena 2 and I almost think better pros would help stop the rash of damages vs. now.

[@RVCAdrew]

NFL: contemporary indentured servitude at its finest.

[@BillShatner31]

nah bro you're thinking about NCAA. At least NFL players do actually get paid lol. Colllege football players take on all the same long-term health risks in exchange for "scholarhips" worth basically nothing compared to the billions in revenue they generate for the NCAA, and most of them will never go pro.

[@chrisl218569]

@@BillShatner31 the football players get their school paid for them. The other students do not.

[@mcjones853]

This video should be seen by every football fan in America.

[@antoniot.6489]

Relieved I stopped playing

[@nataliee.3641]

Makes sense

[@Ajjosan]

that's why I recommend people play mlb or nba

[@SideStrafed]

Not everyone likes Baseball or basketball

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

+Ajjosan lol because its that easy to simply choose a sport to play professionally. what a stupid comment.

[@Ajjosan]

let me clarify on my comment i meant nfl players who were star athletes in 2 sports jamesis winston for example wouldve a been a first round draft pick in mlb but he chose football but i agree nfl should give health bennfits in mlb spending 1 day on the active roster guarantees you health insurance for the rest of your life

[@NgijolSongolo]

+Ajjosan Most of these fringe guys fighting to make a roster don't have the option to play multiple sports.I think you make a good point tho, but idk if Jameis is the best example. As a number one pick especially playing qb, there is so much less risk than a lot of guys who are barely making rosters

[@itskmarvelmann]

+Vanilla Gorilla He was implying you are less likely to have life long injuries playing baseball or basketball. He never said it was easy to play professional sports. Smh lol

[@ToddieBender]

I’d love to hear Parcells, Belichick etc have to say about all this.

[@InazumaStudios1]

And you won't. For those guys, players are nothing but X's and O's in a playbook. Cogs in the machine. If a cog breaks, get another.

[@kennylc2193]

He said it perfectly at 1:10 "complete trust in the medical staff." Maybe it's time that these doctors are independent from the team. Currently, the team doctor works for the team, thus the interest is on the team, not the player.

[@BAKER22-l4u]

I worked in the NFL for 5 years and the team doctors are NOT sleazy. This guy is FULL of SHIT

[@Spyderz-xo9rz]

Its stories like this make happy to live in Canada.

[@leorickt.9604]

@J Dial yeah but the players have healthcare coverage that doesnt end at their teams front door

[@DanRaidersWarriorsSharksGiants]

@@leorickt.9604 I saw a documentary on Canadian health care.It sounded much better than here in some way and much worse in others. It made it sound like if you were really poor it is much better there and if you were really rich it is much better here.They gave examples of rich Canadiens coming to USA for more serious operations because the quality was faster/better. After watching it I think it made the point a combo of both styles would be better than either one on its own.

[@leorickt.9604]

@@DanRaidersWarriorsSharksGiants yes. YES. Thats what a lot of people here have been saying for years. Theres no reason that the people willing to pay money for faster/ better auxillary services shouldnt be able to get them. But in the end its better to have to wait for medical attention than to never recieve it at all (in regards to the poor)

[@DanRaidersWarriorsSharksGiants]

@@leorickt.9604 Yeah in one example i believe a Canadien man was on the dental list and it was so long he used pliers to remove his bad tooth because he couldnt wait that long.It might of been England it has been a while since I watched it. I was thinking and I can ask you, If he was really rich could he make an appointment for that in Canada where he can personally pay his own money and skips the line? They said that dog and cat medical treatment/surgery is faster/better in Canada because it is for profit. They said in Canada it is the waiting list for humans and that some Cadidens even die on the waiting list while if they were in USA and had the money they could get treatment near instantly. They were not saying the healthcare was bad just that it was slow.They said if you needed a serious operation or medical treatment is where that became really serious and rich canadiens would go to USA for that. They also said Americans care more about being #1 in healthcare and/or #1 in new drugs because of profit while Canadiens who are just as smart and able do not have the same incentive to do it. Like say for example there is a group of Canadiens right now who are smart enough to cure cancer but dont feel there is enough profit into making it or they would not be paid enough to make it so they do not. Wouldnt you say it was worse for all humans that they were not bribed more? I would call myself a capitalist/socialist.

[@BAKER22-l4u]

Then you're an IDIOT, because almost EVERYTHING he said is NOT TRUE

[@2enchant]

I played 3 years of little league football. I cant relate to what he is talking about. I work in IT today and feel totally fine.

[@malachimaxxel]

wow the sad side of football we love the glory but this is the ending ...eye opening

[@veronicacooper4397]

No insurance but the coaches owners and the rest of them have insurance 😭

[@BAKER22-l4u]

They DO have insurance. This guy is FULL of SHIT!

[@stickshiftt9127]

NFL players need guaranteed contracts and at least 10 years of Insurance after they are cut from a team or retired

[@brentsenior7830]

Hate to say it but that last statement he made sums up America's business modus operandi

[@Dontwanthe24]

Guys commenting about how bad the NFL is, you're right, but think about the company you work for and how shit they are. its the same everywhere we need to fix it

[@aszewc91306]

+Franco COMMON SENSE Exactly

[@Tmore119]

+Franco COMMON SENSE yea but the thing is when you retire your not brain dead and have lingering injuries and health problems for the rest of your life

[@Dontwanthe24]

Phil Ngerson well thats silly, I met a man who is old AF and still works; construction. he said he worked so much hes made a million in his lifetime but has nothing to show for it but skin cancer. Since most of our work is in the sun, and this is just one example. Since hes not on TV and making millions his life and family doesn't matter????

[@adamrabboh8376]

+Franco COMMON SENSE BERNIE SANDERS 2K16

[@CronoXpono]

Maybe but things are measured in degrees. I think making money for McDonald’s is shit but Jesus, they’re not shooting up employees with caffeine to make them work longer shifts. This...is goddamn monstrous.

[@arvinrobles478]

Concussion movie about NFL after football players having benefits!

[@justinhall3525]

I read up on this dude, he’s a really smart guy who went to a top tier school in Amherst, graduated near the top of his class while juggling football with studies...and he played well enough to make it to the NFL & live out his childhood dream. He played in the NFL for 4 seasons, mostly as a reserve offensive lineman. When he was cut after his final season and they shoved him out the door with nothing, no plan, no coverage/health insurance of any kind...after the league spent nearly 5 years stuffing this guy full of dangerous anti inflammatory & opiate painkillers as well as other drugs to get him able to play. He’s lucky he didn’t have more damage than he did..maybe he has a relatively short career to thank for that as it may be the best thing to ever happen to him. I say that as GQ, ESPN & Forbes Magazines have all listed him as one of the most successful former player turned entrepreneur. He’s not a guy you’ve heard of but he was able to use the hundreds of thousands of dollars he made playing as investment capital. Doing research and investing his NFL money in other companies as well as start ups of his own creation. He made the right investments obviously as he turned the $1.3 Million he initially put down into his current net worth of over $45 Million conservatively. (Some sites have his net worth well above $50 million) but either way he’s very wealthy. When I see docs like ESPN’s “Broke” showing well known all star athletes who’ve had multi million dollar careers...some who’ve made upwards of $100 Million or more and have still wound up broke. It’s a sad thing and it’s men like this who need to be speaking to them. I saw a story last week where Redskins RB Adrian Peterson, who’s made $114 Million during his long career is now millions of dollars in debt to multiple creditors, banks & loan companies. How does one who makes way over $100 million not only go broke & lose it all but actually OWE upwards of $4 Million to lenders. It’s because he’s the type who has a 20-25 person entourage of friends, family & hangers on who just want money with no care at all for the individual. He’s had multiple children by multiple different women...all of whom he pays child support to...he spends lavishly on homes, cars, vacations, clothes & parties. (I heard for his 30th bday party he had 3 Indian elephants flown in to his property along with tigers, dancers, a ton of catering companies, inviting hundreds of people while giving them each a $1,400 Louis Vuitton bag as a takehome gift. $1,400 bags for EACH person when there are close to 200 PEOPLE THERE. That is why he’s broke

[@georgechugalugging7777]

Respect to this man for looking that GM in the face and telling him to fuck off.

[@maromero28]

Sports industry is tough business...

[@hadoukenhadouken9219]

Well this is an issue that should be address at the next collective bargaining agreement meeting. - Truth

[@truthaddictiontv2488]

A smart way to do this would be that instead of let's say a 100,000.00 Bonus you can have an alternative where you only get 25,000.00 bonus BUT you get 5-10 years of free Cobra. The only people would lose would be the agents really.

[@ngsmith22]

These days if players make an active roster no matter what they get 5 years of NFL medical coverage after they are cut

[@ronwhiteleo3352]

wow,, GREAT Story,, glad you did the right thing for yourself.. too many players trust the system and the system does not work for you..

[@c0wb0yTV]

these are great clips. the people who say football players are over paid have no fucking idea what these guys go through.

[@snapperl]

These videos are making me think that I should not watch football.

[@PatRKiloCharlie]

He dimed out Parcells

[@Kollin011]

"Unbelievably greedy" That is the best description for this thing. 50 billion dollar teams and they can't afford to give benefits the same way minimum wage earners get. I've been feeling guilty watching the NFL and as much as i love i I'm going to have to give it up. The sad thing is if all the players suddenly upped and moved to a new franchise then the NFL would be done. It's the players who made the game what it is. A lot of these 20 yr olds are too young to understand tha same guy who is professional and friendly can stab you in the back when the opportunity arises.

[@detective___mcnulty]

Question, couldn't he have purchased his own insurance before he got hurt? And......how is it that someone couldn't realize or know that they wouldn't have problems down the line, when they bang their head around?

[@jeremywiltshire33]

My question is... where is the NFLPA stance in all this.

[@tikoakinney4781]

Non guaranteed contracts in nfl not cool

[@Spacecowboy509]

I have that same shirt

[@duanejessup3708]

Should talk to semi pro football players who have the same aches n pains but not the money r insurance to deal with them

[@jakewaugh2059]

And this is why I prefer the NBA

[@Okie1122]

Just goes to show things are bad all over...

[@davidkrumme1302]

it should be changed for future athletes but people know what they sign up for before they sign. thats why they make the big bucks.

[@jawi9972]

Ever heard of NON guaranteed contracts?

[@bleedleaks]

Uh-oh, who forgot to read the contract?

[@joshuabunkers1494]

Help me understand. There is an NFL player's union that has secured the players get a guaranteed $6.6.billion cut of the NFL Revenue. Why is it the NFL owner's fault the NFLPA does not want to share any of that money with their former (disabled) union members?

[@68camarorsss33]

Not to sound like a dick but this EXACT thing happens to us non athletes working 9-5 jobs. Except we don't make millions and millions.

[@SOCCERSUCK123]

but these people got Talent

[@Tesla_ofthe_Skies]

There is plenty of corruption and manipulation in professional sports, but I've never heard Bo Jackson complain that College, the NFL or MLB robbed him of his career. Bo Jackson would have went down in the record books as literally the best period, if his leg injury didnt retire him, still the GOAT and a Living Legend IMO.

[@FuzzyBears..]

Bo Jackson isn't smart enough to know how business is run . You can thank Gene Upshaw for the demise of the NFLPA!

[@diablo55]

the NFL is probably gonna make the season seventeen games long next year, it’s a huge mistake for player wellbeing

[@brianwalsh1401]

They don't care or they wouldn't do it. It will increase profits that's all they care about which is ironic given there a non profit organization.

[@bradburke8232]

2:26 Regardless of what side you're on in the Kaepernick dilemma, what Alex Bernstein says right there proves that collusion is something that does happen in pro football and is used to leverage players into comply or die situations. So many people acted like Kaepernick claiming collusion was some kind of conspiracy theory and it's clearly more real and more common than people realize.

[@Jefff72]

Man I just don't get it. Of the four major sports in North America, ok maybe six if you include MLS & CFL, this is the one you would expect to protect players. Isn't the NFL the wealthiest league in the Western Hemisphere if not the world? Where is the NFLPA on representing their players?

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Wow! I would never steer my son to the NFL. It's MLB( first) , NBA ( Second) , MLS (Third) , NHL ....

[@MrMistakeyeah]

Now I’m happy my favorite QB mark sanchez is retired

[@Butter-gz4kb]

Professional football players don’t have to play football and can easily seek employment like everyone else. They understand the risks of playing professional football when they sign their million dollar contracts; unfortunately they understand the risk and understand it’s a business. Now players are complaining ? What about the $10 an hour warehouse worker ? They understand the risk and rewards.

[@stuckupcurlyguy]

They don't really know the risks, at least they didn't in the past. Coaches and doctors covered it up or told them to harden up. Nobody knew that concussions would cause CTE before Bennett Omalu discovered the disease, and the NFL actively tried to cover it up. It's not fair to say they knew what they were doing.

[@youaresoawesome9383]

He ain’t lying. I just called my old boss from five years ago that fired me and asked him for health benefits. The scumbag said I was crazy. I was fired cause my feet were hurting so I sat down at work most of the day. The guy straight up said he hardly remembers me. Scumbags

[@georgechugalugging7777]

I wonder who the GM was?

[@RedRaptor7]

He was placed on injury reserve in 2000 by the Falcons, so whoever the GM was in Atlanta in 2000

[@Comeondawg]

The fact that u willingly enter into a draft for tons of money makes his argument null and void and even if u didn’t know what u were getting into your tgink after a season you’d figure it out and quit and get a regular job right ???

[@GWOSAPAT]

Sharp

[@oyandoo6962]

Y did they not give him insurance and s guaranteed contract

[@Naldotheboss]

They need that guarantee money football is one of the most dangerous sports

[@kayper54]

Hundred's of millions? Try SEVERAL BILLION.

[@valentinofalcon3133]

Damn

[@dc76384]

The difference is, you made more in one season, than that guy working off a ladder painting houses.

[@WeAreSoBackBros]

Wait, so repeated blunt force trauma to the head can cause problems later on in life? Damn

[@bigdawg1586]

Yeah no shit

[@WeAreSoBackBros]

21 RB I don't think you. ... nevermind

[@mikediesel7125]

its about how they treated them and blackmailed them once they were too hurt to play. its about longevity

[@351voltage]

yes it can

[@WeAreSoBackBros]

eyinsan Odugba 14 others figured out I was being sarcastic 😪

[@beautifulmanclub2512]

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[@seand67]

WOW

[@timr8971]

NFL players should have benefits. But, personal responsibility needs to be involved.

[@agnostic1247]

The NFLPA does not offer an insurance plan to former players? The premiums would be absurdly high, but the NFL could and should offset that by paying at least 50% of the benefits. These guys have families. Do they just get tossed a COBRA app?

[@BrokeredHeart]

Lots of hate down here in the comments for these guys. Yes, some of them are making millions on contracts signed with their various franchises. Countless others have starting positions on teams and still make way less money for their playing ability. Some don't even see field time because they are red shirted or traded or injured or released from their contracts before the whistle even blows. Contract signings come with only a portion paid in guaranteed money, therefore avoiding the whole issue of paying that player what they were worth had they stayed healthy over the course of a three or four year signing. They are often indebted to agents and managers who take their share of whatever they make. They may provide for family members and friends who depend on them as the main bread winners. Some of them may have been drafted from NCAA teams, an organization which firmly asserts that they are not "employees", but they are simply student athletes, thus negating the necessity to pay them for entering nation wide tournaments, or compensating them if they get hurt during their college career. Others still spend countless hours preparing and training and practicing and exercising, hoping to impress scouts looking for undrafted rookies, all while working multiple part time jobs and whatever else to pay the bills. The players we see in the top echelon of the NFL are an illustrious few - the celebrity status that a slim margin of players ever attain. They make their millions and then some by grabbing endorsements and related business deals. As with many celebrities, that popularity wains, and as soon as your abilities start to fail, you fall back into the ranks, or are ceremoniously dumped into retirement at the ripe age of 29. For a business that boasts revenues in the billions each year, who claim to do so much for communities and families ("We Make Football"), they hardly seem to have a hand in the way their players transition out of the league. If people knew that Ford was hiring workers, crippling them with heavy machinery, and then ejecting them from their jobs working on the assembly line without any compensation because they knew of the inherent danger of working there, people would have a problem with that. Was it the worker's fault for applying for a job they knew was dangerous, even though it was something they were particularly skilled in? I don't think so. Should they be the corporation's responsibility for any injuries incurred on the job, even after leaving their post? Most definitely.

[@tbone116]

Well put.

[@nick-yr7wu]

Don’t these people make at least 6 figure salaries? Shouldn’t people with lower incomes get free health care??

[@Eman1900O]

They couldn't buy private insurance?

[@eeterp32]

+Yipyo1986 they shouldn't have to.

[@Eman1900O]

Who says? In capitalism no one is guaranteed healthcare. It is not a right. Especially when you choose your career

[@eeterp32]

+Yipyo1986 it is a right in the vast majority of 1st world countries. plus, the NFL makes more than enough money to cover healthcare costs.

[@Eman1900O]

I'm talking about capitalism not comparing first would countries. The thinking that healthcare is some constitutional right has helped bankrupt this country

[@Eman1900O]

I don't live in socialist Europe. It's different here or should be

[@MrMarkg1297]

Biggest monopoly in the world today....

[@duanejessup3708]

Just think of all those few that loved football so much that they played minor league football for years not knowing about the dangers just like the Pro players with long term brain issues and yet played for no money and most the time no insurance unless you had it threw your 9-5 job r the wife's. So many of us dealing with the same brain issues yet with no where near the money or insurance to cover r even help with the hospital and specialist . I truly feel these guys worries and pains but there is a whole nother world of men of there in worse ways from the same collisions. If any semi pro or minor league football players happen to read this just know your not alone dealing with things from our common love n passion. Peace

[@jcason6295]

That's seriously fucked up

[@jordanchurch1226]

Drinking game! Take a shot every time he says "You know"

[@justinwilliams8915]

Jordan Church you know

[@10hockeyrocks10]

It's a huge risk to devote your life to try and play sports professionally, and nearly everyone fails. Why is this guy sat here acting surprised about it? And why is vice trying to make me feel bad?

[@Kennyarnold16]

yeah the NFL is dirty!

[@rightnowiseverything2521]

I'm inching ever closer to not participating in the NFL on any level.

[@ray130796]

How can you blame a guy for choosing to play in the NFL I bet if someone told you you can make it you would too. The full blame belongs with the team, if you're injured doing your job you should be compensated, if you don't you can sue. But its obviously a more difficult situation coming up against one of the biggest corporation in the country. Either way he's right, its pure greed. They can most definitely pay for the players treatments but they don't. UNLESS you're a superstar, Andrew Luck has barely threw a ball in 2 years but are the Colts gonna cut him? Of course not. There shouldn't be biases, if you draft or trade for a guy you're responsible for the guy.

[@lobsidedballs]

A rookie makes 400k a year... save that money up and don't buy a ton of shit

[@Viva4Loca]

lobsidedballs After taxes it's like 200 and a million is like 6 to 700k

[@jimi1291]

try to get a mid twenties man with loads of money and fame to not buy a bunch of stuff.

[@sylentknight]

not to mention the agent gets 3 percent

[@kayper54]

I would think the statistics would be roughly one draftee per round (there are 7. so that would end up to be one player out of 32) has the good sense to realize that the money they will be paid -- even if it seems like a lot right up front -- is finite, with taxes, and who will live moderately and save money respective to his income.