Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
Well yes but is your job going to leave you with long term debilitation? When you retire will you have post concussion syndrome and long term shoulder/back issues due to your job? Yes they make a lot of money but they pay a long term price with their bodies and IMO hockey and football players warrant all the money they get because they are putting their bodies on the line to entertain fans.
For the record I've never been a big Richards fan as IMO he's laid out some players in the past with vicious head shots but what the Kings are doing is scummy and borderline rule circumvention.
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My cousin was left permanently disabled falling off a ladder onto his head roofing. He made a modest wage before and can't make a wage ever again. I feel for Richards, but as others point out he has it relatively good for anyone in a physical trade. At least he has millions earned to support his reduced life. My cousin cannot afford to live on his own, or much of anything.
Not to say it is right but my sympathy for these athletes is minimal.
I got the chance a little while ago to hang out with an ex-NFL player who retired early, I think 30 after playing several years of a large contract. His career was ending for him, and he explained instead of fighting it he realized he should get out before his body was destroyed. He took all those millions and now does property and restaurants. He's pretty good at it too.
Anyways, my point is these guys have choice. The reason Richards kept going is his own to really know. Feeding his family was probably not it. He could at any time have retired with a good life but chose to keep going. That is fine but having me pity him is pretty low on my list. This isn't 1950's hockey.