Webster Estate Wins Disability Ruling

An appeals court ruled that the estate of late Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster is entitled to as much as $2 million in disability benefits.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Wednesday that the NFL must pay benefits to the estate retroactive to the date of his retirement in 1991, along with legal fees and interest. Lawyers for the estate estimated the value of the award at $1.5 million to $2 million.

The league's six-member pension board, consisting of three members from league management and three from the NFL Players Association, had maintained that Webster suffered from a degenerative condition and was not fully disabled when he retired, cutting his benefits in half. But a Baltimore judge and the appeals court supported the estate's contention that Webster suffered brain damage during his 16-year playing career that left him completely disabled when he retired.

Webster, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died from a heart attack in 2002 at age 50. He was homeless at times during a post-playing career that included several failed business ventures.

By Mark Maske |  December 14, 2006; 10:24 PM ET  | Category:  League
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