Wes Welker wants disability

[Elmgrovegnome]

Ex-WR Wes Welker blasts NFL over disability benefits issue - National Football Post

Retired NFL wide receiver Wes Welker took to Twitter on Saturday to blast the NFL over its response to a claim he filed seeking disability benefits. W

www.nationalfootballpost.com

EX-WR WES WELKER BLASTS NFL OVER DISABILITY BENEFITS ISSUE​

Retired NFL wide receiver Wes Welker took to Twitter on Saturday to blast the NFL over its response to a claim he filed seeking disability benefits.
Welker, now on the coaching staff of the Miami Dolphins, shared a letter he received from the NFL that asked for evidence to prove surgeries he has undergone since retirement were related to on-field injuries.
“@NFL I don’t have the time or patience for this,” Welker wrote. “Been an employee of the NFL for 18 years and still going. This is bush league stuff!.”
The Disability Initial Claims Committee, according to the letter, set aside his application and asked Welker to provide more information, stating his application had a “lack of supportive documentation” regarding his surgeries.
“Specifically, there were no records reflecting that the surgeries were performed as a result of injuries sustained while playing in the NFL,” the letter reads, in part.
Welker was given a deadline of Oct. 10 to update his application.
Welker, 41, was a two-time All Pro and selected to five Pro Bowls, all with the New England Patriots. He sustained a variety of injuries during his career, including to his back and a torn left ACL and MCL, as well as multiple concussions.
He played 12 NFL seasons from 2004-15 with the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams and Patriots. In 175 games (102 starts), Welker caught 903 passes for 9,924 yards and 50 touchdowns.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Should disability benefits apply to a guy who made 45 million in his career and is still working full time as an NFL coach? If he’s right then just about any player in the league could claim they deserve disability.

He didn’t want to provide all of the information requested, so that’s on him.

As someone who desperately tried to avoid the disability route this is offensive to me. If I had millions I wouldn’t have a need for it, especially if I was still able to work full time.

Wouldn’t the league’s disability benefit be meant for lower pay players that are injured? Like rookies whose career ended too soon due to injury for example?

 

[FaulkSF]

This is an embarrassment to those that have a genuine disability from the military, those who have had to deal with worker's comp, and others who have a permanent disability. Normal citizens and the military must go to occupational health, referred to surgery, and everything must be documented to process your claim. Calling the NFL bush league because you are too lazy to get your documents in order that is required for a permanent disability claim is in fact the definition of "Bush League."

 

[Allen2McVay]

This is an embarrassment to those that have a genuine disability from the military, those who have had to deal with worker's comp, and others who have a permanent disability. Normal citizens and the military must go to occupational health, referred to surgery, and everything must be documented to process your claim.

Could not agree more.

It's also disrespectful and dismissive to NFL players from the '60s, '70s and '80s who helped to make the NFL the most popular sport in the U.S. Those players were not highly compensated; and many have struggled in their later-years due to a lack of health and medical benefits.

 

[Psycho_X]

I agree his public whining is a bit much given that he's a millionaire. Also, they didn't deny him they are just asking for the paperwork to verify. Something that every normal Joe Schmo has to do when dealing with insurance of any kind especially when requesting disability.

Is it a huge pain in the ass? Yes... insurance companies are one of the most frustrating fucking things to deal with on this planet. But this is something everyone has to deal with not just NFL players... only most people asking for disability need it to buy food and a roof over their head. So get a bit of perspective Mr. Welker and quit your whining you entitled prick.

 

[blackbart]

What a freaking loser, didn’t care for him before and now he is in my trash bin.

You played a professional sport that is brutal, is that news? You made tens of millions doing it and are still working.

GTFO

 

[I like Rams]

Didn't he get concusion after concussion after concussion, and still decided to keep playing? Seems like he just kept making terrible decisions that would obviously cost him in the future.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Could not agree more.

It's also disrespectful and dismissive to NFL players from the '60s, '70s and '80s who helped to make the NFL the most popular sport in the U.S. Those players were not highly compensated; and many have struggled in their later-years due to a lack of health and medical benefits.

Kind of an add-on, as an example:

I read an article a while back that when the Rams selected Johnnie Johnson (the original) in the first round of the 1980 Draft, he signed a six-year / $1M contract. That's about $165,000 a year.

Several Rams' veterans, including Jack Youngblood and Larry Brooks held-out of Camp in protest. Youngblood was going into his 10th season ... Brooks his 9th. These guys were perennial Pro Bowlers. I am going to assume they were making less than $165K-per-year.

I wonder if Jack Youngblood made even $1M in his NFL career.

Just suggesting, that I don't believe the NFL players of the past quarter century have done a good job of helping players from the prior quarter century with long-term-health-care ... in particular, assistance for health issues tied to their playing careers when the NFL was becoming the most popular sport in the Country.

OK ... I am putting my Soap Box away. And HEY! Get-Off-My-Lawn!!!

 

[AppeasFBlGods]

I believe this is through the NFL disability insurance that was agreed to with the CBA and paid for by league profits. Its not a government program.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I believe this is through the NFL disability insurance that was agreed to with the CBA and paid for by league profits. Its not a government program.

Yes it seems so. Either way he needs to jump through the required hoops. Secondly he’s a 45 million dollar man who is still able to work. Is any disability insurance meant for people that are still good enough to work a full time job?

 

[ProGen]

Does the NFL contribute to the studying of regenerative medicine? It sure would make sense.

 

[Dodgersrf]

So he doesn't want to turn in the requested documentation?

Grow the hell up and stop throwing a hissy fit, Welker

 

[1maGoh]

Yes it seems so. Either way he needs to jump through the required hoops. Secondly he’s a 45 million dollar man who is still able to work. Is any disability insurance meant for people that are still good enough to work a full time job?

I don't know about "meant to" but Army disability sure does. I'm 60% (apparently 30% + 20% + 15% + 15% + 10% + 0% = 60%) disabled because the army fucked me up. Luckily I work at a computer desk all day (even before I was a manager) so I can still do 40+ hours per week. They pay me because it hurts to play with my kids and hurts to stay in shape and it hurts to help my wife with projects around the house. Sitting in the chair all day hurts, but I can push through it. So by God those assholes are going to pay for wrecking my body.

 

[Ramrocket]

Just goes to show that it is impossible to rid yourself of the Patriot stench even years after finishing up with them.

 

[Jacobarch]

This is an embarrassment to those that have a genuine disability from the military, those who have had to deal with worker's comp, and others who have a permanent disability. Normal citizens and the military must go to occupational health, referred to surgery, and everything must be documented to process your claim. Calling the NFL bush league because you are too lazy to get your documents in order that is required for a permanent disability claim is in fact the definition of "Bush League."

America, the land of what have you done for me lately.

 

[OntarioRam]

I never much cared for Welker, even when he was a Ram in the twilight of his career (ah, how desperate the Jeff Fisher Rams were at times for capable WRs...).

This story is right on brand for Welker. Whiny and annoying. If he won't provide the required documentation, then that what does he expect? Very entitled and unreasonable attitude.

 

[Corbin]

Fucktard shows how much of a dumb entitled asshat he is. If you want benefits you have to submit proof you don’t just get them. As many have stated that have served like myself you have still have to show when, where, how etc. Hell I have 100% and indisputable injuries and I still had to verify everything.

 

[Mackeyser]

This is an embarrassment to those that have a genuine disability from the military, those who have had to deal with worker's comp, and others who have a permanent disability. Normal citizens and the military must go to occupational health, referred to surgery, and everything must be documented to process your claim. Calling the NFL bush league because you are too lazy to get your documents in order that is required for a permanent disability claim is in fact the definition of "Bush League."

Yeah, the shit I’ve had to go thru included nearly ending up homeless because I fought my way back from being bedridden to holding a full time job and going to school. When I just couldn’t take it anymore, it took 18 months and going before an ALJ (administrative law judge) to get my benefits back. The ALJ was so pissed looking at my record that he gave me the max he could… turns out the place that did me dirty as an outplacement for the VA was so shady that people went to jail…

Vets have to go thru such bullshit and are outright called welfare queens (which is not only emasculating, but totally negates our service and sacrifice) and entitled babies or worse, a faker… been called that and even worse to my face… read other vets having much worse said to them… sometimes by private medical practitioners.

Provide more documentation?

He should try and file a VA disability claim where they ask for reams of paperwork that they already have, but we still have to provide them…

Sorry, this struck a nerve…

 

[rdlkgliders]

Should disability benefits apply to a guy who made 45 million in his career and is still working full time as an NFL coach? If he’s right then just about any player in the league could claim they deserve disability.

He didn’t want to provide all of the information requested, so that’s on him.

As someone who desperately tried to avoid the disability route this is offensive to me. If I had millions I wouldn’t have a need for it, especially if I was still able to work full time.

Wouldn’t the league’s disability benefit be meant for lower pay players that are injured? Like rookies whose career ended too soon due to injury for example?

Disability should be for those that can't work like it is for us. Besides, isn't his gripe a work comp issue?

 

[MolaRam]

Fucktard shows how much of a dumb entitled asshat he is. If you want benefits you have to submit proof you don’t just get them. As many have stated that have served like myself you have still have to show when, where, how etc. Hell I have 100% and indisputable injuries and I still had to verify everything.

Yes, this and all the other responses are spot on.

I guarantee that fuck dropped the "Do you know who I am!?" line during some point.
Entitled Jackass.