ShareThisBy RON KROICHICK
Monday, January 22, 2007
Guy Benjamin's neck problems began when an opposing linebacker burst into the backfield, hit Benjamin from behind and "bounced my head off second base at Candlestick." He had spinal fusion surgery in 1998, and his path to the operating table illustrates the frustration many former NFL players encounter when they seek medical treatment after their careers have ended.
Benjamin, the 49ers' backup quarterback during their 1981 title season, kept his California workers' compensation file open for nearly 20 years after he retired from the NFL, because that's often the best way for former players to obtain help covering medical costs. A player's last team is responsible for workers' comp claims _ the 49ers, in Benjamin's case _ and he said the team always fought its liability.
Finally, after the neck surgery, Benjamin settled with the 49ers' insurance company for what he called a "paltry sum." He owns state-mandated insurance in Hawaii, where he's president of Hawaii Business College, and he said that policy should cover his anticipated knee-replacement surgery.
"It troubles me that there's no medical coverage" for former players, said Benjamin, now 51. "You're either going to cover it under workers' comp and just accept it ... or have policies for players, so they're legitimately covered. It's probably a very expensive proposition, but my God, look at the money out there."
The NFL Players Association has improved long-term benefits for its members in the past 25 years, but that does not offer much solace to former players such as those on the 1981 49ers. Several voiced complaints about the NFL's pension program and medical benefits for retired players.
Players receive a monthly pension ranging from $250 to $470 per season in the league, based on when they played. But medical benefits for former players are an even more contentious issue.
A line-of-duty benefit offers modest monthly payments (for up to 7 1/2 years) for players who sustained a career-ending injury. The benefits for total and permanent disability _ known as the "Stingley benefit," after onetime New England wide receiver Darryl Stingley, paralyzed in a 1978 exhibition game _ can reach $250,000 per year.
And a separate category for degenerative injuries, added in 1993, pays more than $100,000 annually if the player is totally and permanently disabled and cannot work at any occupation. Most former players, including those on the '81 49ers, have lingering, wear-and-tear injuries that are painful and costly but not entirely disabling.
"Once they've got whatever they can get out of you, they don't need you anymore," former 49ers defensive end Lawrence Pillers said of the NFL. "Whatever happens later in life, that's on you. That frustrates me."
Said league spokesman Greg Aiello: "I would point out that retired players receive about $60 million a year from the retirement plan, and every collective-bargaining agreement includes improvements in benefits. I think you would find in business it's rare for companies to reach back and improve benefits for former employees."
The league and union did not help their image in the case of former Pittsburgh center Mike Webster. Last month, a U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a 2005 ruling that Webster, who died of a heart attack in 2002, was totally and permanently disabled from brain injuries sustained during his playing career.
The ruling overturned a previous decision by the NFL pension board (which differed on when Webster's disability began), and Webster's son, Garrett, told the New York Times that the league and union both battled the family along the way. Webster's heirs were awarded $1.5 million to $2 million.
