There's probably a lot of football followers here who have little or no knowledge of Mike Webster, who played center for the great Steelers teams of the 1970s and who was a cinch Hall of Famer the first year he was eligible.
Webster was known as Iron Mike for his endurance and incredible strength. He was the heart and soul of the team in many ways. I think it's fair to say that of all the great players on those Steelers teams, Mike Webster excelled at his position more than any other. His dedication to his craft was amazing. There's never been a pro football player who worked harder than Webster did.
Shortly after his 17 year NFL career ended, Webster began developing symptoms of brain damage. He had trouble speaking coherently (his rambling speech at Canton when he was inducted into the Hall was apoignant example) and was unable to hold down a job. At times he lived in his car and was usually financially destitute.
He died in 2002 at the age of just 50.
The NFL continually denied Webster's disability claims. His family carried on the fight before and after his death, and finally an appeals court ruled in the Webster family's favor, which hopefully will end the legal fight after a decade.
This was a nice win, if the NFL doesn't again appeal,for the little guy over the forces of greed and Big Money.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06348/746043-66.stm
Iron Mike:
Webster was known as Iron Mike for his endurance and incredible strength. He was the heart and soul of the team in many ways. I think it's fair to say that of all the great players on those Steelers teams, Mike Webster excelled at his position more than any other. His dedication to his craft was amazing. There's never been a pro football player who worked harder than Webster did.
Shortly after his 17 year NFL career ended, Webster began developing symptoms of brain damage. He had trouble speaking coherently (his rambling speech at Canton when he was inducted into the Hall was apoignant example) and was unable to hold down a job. At times he lived in his car and was usually financially destitute.
He died in 2002 at the age of just 50.
The NFL continually denied Webster's disability claims. His family carried on the fight before and after his death, and finally an appeals court ruled in the Webster family's favor, which hopefully will end the legal fight after a decade.
This was a nice win, if the NFL doesn't again appeal,for the little guy over the forces of greed and Big Money.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06348/746043-66.stm
Iron Mike:
