SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Former professional athletes who have battled countless injuries since they left the game criticized a bill in the state Legislature that would restrict players from collecting workers' compensation benefits in California.
Two dozen former players, including San Francisco 49ers defensive player Dana Stubblefield and Reggie Williams of the Cincinnati Bengals, appeared at the state Capitol Monday to speak against AB1309, which they said was an effort by team owners to avoid paying them for legitimate injuries.
"(Players) paid into the system and now they want to take the system away from us," said Ickey Woods, who grew up in Fresno and was a running back for the Bengals.
California is one of nine states that allow professional athletes from out-of-state teams to seek workers' compensation awards, which are paid by their employers. A bill by Assemblyman Henry Perea, D-Fresno, would allow only players from California teams to claim workers' compensation and would shorten the filing period for claims.
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