Mike Webster's Estate Sues NFL's Pension Plans for Unfair Treatment

The estate of former Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Webster has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Baltimore against the NFL's pension plans, claiming the longtime center and Hall of Famer was denied a fair pension because the plan ruled his injuries were not the result of an "active football injury." After retiring in 1990, Webster had "multiple head injuries" and a "dementing illness" that "resulted in complete disability in terms of being gainfully employed," the suit contends. The suit alleges that the NFL ignored its own expert physician's report in denying the benefits sought.

Baltimore partner Cy Smith is representing Webster's estate in this pension case.

The story ran in The Baltimore Sun on May 25, 2004.