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DAVE PEAR

Thoughts after press conference

After yesterday’s press conference at Ditka’s restaurant, the solution to the disability injustice toward disabled players and their families seems even clearer. 

When asked by a reporter, how to fix the problem the answer doesn’t seem  complicated to me.  I feel that the current disability process is designed to deny valid medical claims for disabled players.  I think the NFL lawyers and disability decisions makers make medical decisions that they are not qualified to make. They are hired to beat up already injured human beings. The player is denied his benefits and is forced to fight through a fraudulent disability process.

Why not have qualified doctors and clinical psychologist’s with a Ph.D. examine injured players to make a fair and correct medical evaluation?

If the player is found to be disabled 50% or more and his injury is from football and caused him to stop playing then pay him the Line of duty disability benefit that he qualifies for. If a player is found total and permanently disabled then pay him his full medical benefit of disability. If he is deemed able to work then have a qualified and neutral occupational therapist write out what specific jobs he can do.  Currently, no matter how disabled the player is the doctor writes, “this patient is qualified to do sedentary work”. However, if you live in constant pain, fall asleep through out the day, suffer from  vertigo or have cognitive issues then how can you possibly qualify to do sedentary work? This is a trap used by the current and what I feel is a deceitful process that is unfair to players and their families. This deny, deny and hope you die needs to stop. The money is there but the NFLPA refuses to pay valid medical claims. The solution is simple and the money is there.  This whole idea of the truth squad by the NFLPA is nothing but a pack of lies. The truth will come out and will show what a crooked system is now in place and it desperately needs to change. Disabled players don’t want charity we want justice. 

Regards,

Dave and Heidi Pear

(nfl 1975-80)

Current status: social security disability