Page Number
141
Abstract
Damar Hamlin’s heart stopped beating after a routine Monday Night Football game tackle. This event caught the nation's attention, and the National Football League (NFL) promised to care for Hamlin’s long-term health needs. While Hamlin miraculously recovered, the tragic reality is that neither the NFL nor Hamlin’s team were legally required to provide Hamlin with long-term healthcare or a pension. Countless former NFL players suffer through long-term health challenges with little support from the NFL. This Article examines the current state of healthcare for NFL players. The Article considers NFL players' unique long-term health challenges and why they deserve special protection. Next, the Article considers several problems in the existing collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA. This Article proposes four reforms that would improve healthcare for NFL players. Finally, the Article presents a negotiation strategy for the NFLPA to obtain a CBA that protects players' health better.
Recommended Citation
McClain, Weston
(2025)
"Rethinking the NFL’s Commitment to Healthcare,"
Denver Sports & Entertainment Law Journal: Vol. 30:
Iss.
1, Article 8.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/selj/vol30/iss1/8