Judiciary Committee to Expand Investigation into NFL Player Injuries

Press Release

Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee Chairwoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Chris Cannon (R-UT) announced plans to expand an ongoing Judiciary Committee investigation into injuries suffered by professional football players and the lack of pension and health benefits available to these former players. The lawmakers sent requests to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw for documents relating to the organization's pension and healthcare benefit packages, which will also be used as part of a Congressional Research Service (CRS) study on the issue.

"Professional football is a very dangerous sport," said Conyers. "It is common for former players to suffer lingering injuries from their playing days. I am greatly concerned that many of those most debilitated by their injuries are finding it difficult to receive disability benefits. Many former players denied these benefits have difficulty performing even the simplest physical tasks."

"It concerns me when those who works hazardous jobs don't get the care they deserve, whether a coal miner, tire factory worker, or football player," said Sánchez. "I look forward to the timely responses to our questions so we can determine what steps might be necessary to ensure that those who made football great aren't neglected."

Today's action follows dramatic testimony this summer from Hall of Fame honorees Mike Ditka and Harry Carson at a Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law hearing entitled, "The National Football League's System for Compensating Retired Players: An Uneven Playing Field?" The two Hall of Famers, joined by former players Curt Marsh and Brent Boyd, described injuries sustained during their careers which continue to limit their physical abilities. They also revealed the difficulties in obtaining disability benefits which are provided to only a small percentage of former players.

"The information requested in these letters will help Congress understand the scope of the problem," stated Smith. "I am hopeful that the NFL and NFLPA will get their own house in order without any help from Congress."

"The testimony presented before the committee certainly raised issues that both the NFL and the NFLPA should want to see resolved," said Cannon. "The sooner we get the information, the sooner we will be able to ascertain whether Congress needs to, as Coach Ditka said, 'fix it', or stay on the sidelines and continue to monitor the league's progress."

Following the June 26 hearing, many have called upon Congress to take action to help former players receive much-needed benefits. The CRS study will hopefully provide a thorough analysis of the challenges facing former NFL players and help to determine what, if any, steps Congress should take to address this issue.

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