NFL Hall of Famers Demand Health And Salary Benefits

Pro Football Hall of Famers are calling on the National Football League (NFL) to grant them permanent health insurance and an annual salary.

The demands are contained in a letter sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Pro Football Hall of Fame President C. David Baker and NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith. The letter was obtained by ESPN.

The football greats say their demands may seem like a lot, but it wouldn’t hurt the pockets of the country’s most profitable sports league.

NFL is the biggest and highest-earning sports league in the US with over $14 billion in estimated revenue from its 2017 league year alone, according to reports.

Health insurance and annual salary combined would only cost less than 50 cents (3 cents for health insurance, 40 cents for annual salary) for every $100 earned by the league, the players argue.

Speak For Yourself

The former players demand effective solutions to the serious health issues and financial problems they face rather than mere “public relation ploys” that do not actually address their concerns. The letter said NFL has been hesitant to give players their fair share, but actually seems to pour in a lot of money for other priorities. The players particularly highlighted the $40 million annual salary earned by Commissioner Goodell who recently extended his contract with the league.

The Hall of Famers said to have signed the letter are Marcus Allen, Derrick Brooks, Carl Ellard, Mike Haynes, Eric Dickerson, Mel Blount, Rickey Jackson, Sarah White the widow of Reggie White, Marshall Faulk, John Randle, Deion Sanders, Joe Namath, Jerry Rice, Jackie Smith, Kurt Warner, Lawrence Taylor, Jim Brown, Ronnie Lott, Curtis Martin, John Randle, Richard Dent and Bruce Smith.

The players are threatening to boycott future induction events if their demands are not met. Induction events are held with most if not all living Pro Football Hall of Famers in attendance.

However, Jerry Rice and Kurt Warner have released a statement saying their views were misrepresented. Jerry Rice said while he supports the notion that every NFL player, current and retired, should be entitled to salary and health benefits, he has no plans to boycott future induction ceremonies.