COURT ORDERS NFL TO PAY:

A federal judge in Baltimore has ordered the National Football League to pay the estate of Hall of Fame center Mike Webster disability benefits for head injuries caused by his football career. U.S. District Judge William Quarles Jr. granted the request by Webster’s estate that the NFL Player Retirement Plan and the NFL Player Supplemental Disability Plan pay all benefits owed under the plan retroactive to March 1991, when Webster became totally and permanently disabled. Quarles did not set a dollar amount on the payment, but ordered the NFL and Webster’s estate to determine the amount plus interest in 25 days. The suit had been filed in federal court in Baltimore, where the NFL plans are administered.

Webster, who played center for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1974-89, died in September 2002 in Pittsburgh at age 50 after several appeals for benefits failed. He was diagnosed with brain damage resulting from the long-term head trauma he sustained during his NFL career. After leaving the NFL, Webster was tormented by debt, depression and poor health and was homeless at times. Webster applied for total and permanent disability benefits but, in 1999, the plans refused to grant him an active football disability pension.