Life Isn't Very Good For Many Former Football Stars

One dirty little secret from the world of professional football is that life isn't very good for many former stars. While there is a salary cap for new players set at $102.5 million dollars, many former pro football greats suffer to struggle by on a league pension as low as about $127 to $400 a month. Many players in their 40's already suffer from injuries or degenerative conditions that make both walking as well as further employment much more difficult. In addition many of their lifelong health care costs may be very expensive.

The fact that many of 9,000 surviving former pro football players are living well below the poverty line is not often discussed. Former football great, Jerry Kramer runs a small foundation that offers some help to these former football stars, yet far more needs to be done. At least a portion of the huge player or league earnings needs to be set aside for the retirement and health care needs of these former players.