DISABILITY INSURANCE. ALL PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES SHOULD HAVE IT.

“A private disability policy is undoubtedly the best route for any pro player … to protect themselves,” says Frank N. Darras, disability lawyer to the pros.

Football is a dangerous sport. Even as the league works to improve player safety through rule changes, serious injuries are a weekly occurrence. Consider the carnage of last Sunday: a broken bone and torn knee ligament have taken Cushing out of the Texans’ lineup for the rest of the season, the Green Bay Packers’ Jermichael Finley was carted off the field on a stretcher after an on-field collision reportedly left him unable to move and Sam Bradford of the Rams is out with a season-ending knee injury.

There is certainly money to be made playing professional football; there is no doubt about that. But, that opportunity comes with substantial risks and for some, life-long costs. A disabling injury that occurs while in the line of duty on the football field can take a top player with a contract ending after the current season from looking for a multi-year, multi-million-dollar deal to looking for a new career or worse.

One of the best ways for football players to protect their futures is through an own-occupation long term disability insurance policy or a disability policy with an own-occupation rider, according to Frank N. Darras.

We’re not trying to reach just the 220 players who were injured this year with our message about the importance of disability insurance. We want healthy players to seriously consider long term disability coverage as well. Disability happens and it happens quickly. We want you to be as prepared as possible in case it happens to you.

Learn More: “As the Number of NFL Injuries Increase, Protection Becomes Key for Players“