Wilbur Marshall Not Doing Well

[skinsfan69]

It just amazes me that the NFL and Roger G. can preach all this safety stuff, yet ask these guys to play two more games when there are so many ex players that are in Marshall's shoes. Unbelievable.

[Longtimefan]

^ I recently had the opportunity to visit with one of my good friends (Willie Wood) who played for the Packers during the time when teams played only a twelve game schedule. He's had to endure seemingly endless suffering for almost thirty years as a result of combined injuries sustained over the course of his career.

For years, his wife has had to help him in and out of bed as a result of both knee and hip replacement surgeries along with a host of other injuries.

We spoke briefly about the current labor dispute and the thought of an eighteen game season. He reiterated what a complete disaster he felt it would be to even be considered. He played far fewer games during his time, he's seventy five years old now with very limited disability and a body that wishes for younger days done differently.

[TheSmurfs22]

This is a league that is not kind to players esp in the long term. It is very sad to see guys like Marshall who helped elevate this league to another level have these struggles.Marshall was a stud! These guys are horses in the NFL's stable, they get used and then sent out to pasture, sometimes a not so good one. I remember reading once that pro football players live six years less than the average person.

[MTK]

In the spring of 1988, Marshall became the first NFL free agent in eleven years to sign with another team, agreeing to a five year/six million dollar contract offer to play for the Washington Redskins, the team that had eliminated the Bears from the NFL playoffs in each of the previous two seasons.[8] When the Bears declined to match the offer, the Redskins had to give them their two first-round draft picks in the next two NFL Drafts as compensation.

Wilber Marshall - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[MTK]

In 1976, Riggins signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins, who offered him a four-year, $1.5 million contract, compared to the $75,000 he earned in his final year with the Jets.

John Riggins - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[sportscurmudgeon]

Thanks Matty. I thought I remembered that Riggo came here via some form of free agency in the 70s...