Judge orders NFL to pay estate of Hall of Famer Webster

BALTIMORE -- A federal judge has ordered the NFL 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. on Tuesday 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. The payment must also include interest.

Quarles did not set a dollar amount on the payment, but ordered the NFL and Webster's estate to determine the amount 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 Steelers from 1974-89, died in September 2002 in Pittsburgh. He was 50.

According to the suit, Webster, who played 177 consecutive games, was diagnosed with brain damage resulting from the long-term head trauma he sustained during his NFL career.

"By the time he retired in 1990, Mr. Webster had -- according to the NFL's own physician -- 'multiple head injuries' and 'a dementing illness,"' the suit said. "In short, he was 'punch drunk."'

After leaving the NFL, Webster was tormented by debt, depression and poor health. He was homeless at times, and at one point lived in the equipment room of the Kansas City Chiefs, where he worked briefly as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Webster was not capable of "fulfilling the responsibilities of that job" because of his disabilities, the suit claims.

In 1999, Webster pleaded no contest to charges he forged prescriptions for the drug Ritalin. He was placed on probation in Beaver County, Pa.

That year, Webster applied for "total and permanent disability benefits" under the NFL plan. But in November 1999, the plan refused to grant Webster an active football disability pension.

Webster appealed several times, but his requests were denied, the suit says. He died while another appeal was pending.