NFL Player Retirement Plan, abusing discretion

The NFL has be untruthful to fans, players, and staff for years. From the concussion suit to inequitable hiring practices to sexual harassment. They rarely see any sort of consequence for their actions, but when they lost the concussion suit and were ordered to pay out millions to injured players and their families, the general consensus was positive.

Now, the The Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan has lost a case against Christian Dennie who was representing retired NFL player Michael Cloud who played seven seasons in the NFL. He was part of the Patriots team that won the 2004 Super Bowl.

"A Texas federal judge on Thursday lambasted the NFL player retirement plan for a history of selectively reviewing former players' applications for disability benefits and abusing its discretion, finding that the plan violated federal benefits law when it denied a retired Super Bowl-winning running back placement in a higher benefits class."

Not only do these players put their health on the line to play the game they love, but it seems when they look to claim disability benefits they are given the run around and in some cases unlawfully denied benefits.

"After the ruling, an emotional Cloud said he was upset it took this long to correct the plan's error. He noted he is just 'one of thousands' of former players in similar situations. The plan 'tortured my family for years without caring,' he said."

"During closing arguments, Dennie said it was clear the retirement plan has violated ERISA for years by failing to fully review former players' files and voting on applications in groups of roughly 50 without discussing individual cases."

Thank you to zealous advocates who help make the world a little bit better one client at a time. You are a hero among men Professor.