Under the leadership of Commisioner Roger Goodell, on August 30, 2013, the NFL reached a $765 million settlement with the former NFL players over head injuries. The settlement created a $675 million compensation fund from which former NFL players can collect from depending on the extent of their conditions. Severe conditions such as Lou Gehrig's disease and postmortem diagnosed chronic traumatic encephalopathy would be entitled to payouts as high as $5 million. From the remainder of the settlement, $75 million would be used for medical exams, and $10 million would be used for research and education. However, in January, 2014, U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody refused to accept the agreed settlement because "the money wouldn't adequately compensate the nearly 20,000 men not named in the suit". In 2014, the cap was removed from the amount.
From an email I may [or may not] have received from Roger Goodell.
Dear Mr. Ehrman,
Thank you for your communication from August 9th. I don't think it is practical to make our league two hand touch. The season has already started and we can't change our basic rules.
Your assertion that it would save the league a lot of money is well taken but fans won't come to the game and that would be the end of the NFL.
Your quotation of the law of "Sar Baalei Khaim" is well taken. We don't like to see people suffering but it is their choice.
If you prefer non--violent sports then may I suggest you watch golf. Non-violent but boring to death and dying of boredom is a form of violence.
As to your declaration that "NFL Players Lives Matter" - that is certainly true as many of our players are Black.
As to your complaint of gender inequality in our league - women are invited to try out for and play for any team but to date no woman has been interested. Maybe you would like to found the WFL [Women's Football League]. Good luck. Hope you have millions of dollars to waste on the venture. Football is a women's sport like men should be in the kitchen cooking.
As to your question of whether I am Jewish - I am not Jewish but am thinking of converting because all sports commissioners are. But I do have the word "GOD" in my last name. And my first name has the word "Ger"!!!
Best regards and a very happy new year to you and your family,
Roger
