The biggest day in professional football is finally here. As the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals take the field to compete for the title of Super Bowl LVI champion, it’s important to remember the physical toll the game of football exacts on the players. While us spectators get to kick back, relax, casually eat snacks, and watch from the sidelines, the athletes on the field risk incredible injury. So what does workers’ compensation look like for professional footballers?
Good news, NFL players are eligible for workers’ compensation. Even further, workers’ compensation coverage is extended towards all professional athletes, not just professional football players. If an athlete is injured while practicing or playing, which is unfortunately relatively common, they should receive workers’ compensation coverage.
Similar to all other occupations, NFL players must prove that the injury occurred on the job. The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), the union for NFL players, recommends keeping an injury log. Track the injury from the date of occurrence through progress and treatment, taking detailed notes and pictures throughout.
While the list of injuries an NFL player can incur is extensive, the most common types of injuries include head and lower body impairments. In recent years, the conversation around football-related injuries has shifted to include the very important conversation about mental health. Yes, a twisted ankle or broken leg can take a player out of a game or season, but the long-term effects of repeated sustained head-injuries are substantially more dire and largely under-reported. The NFLPA is currently funding CTE research and enlisting top-tier universities to diagnose, treat, and prevent players’ injuries and illnesses.
Considering the enormous impact of football within our country’s culture and economy, it’s essential to prepare, protect, and preserve professional players for peak performance and pain prevention. Whether it’s a small impact, a career-ending injury, or an invisible mental health impairment, professional athletes are entitled to workers’ compensation.
Source: https://nflpa.com/active-players/health/injuries