Montana Lobbies For Ailing Pro Players

Joe Montana has found a new position - first-string lobbyist.

Montana, however, said the role is only for one issue. He was in Sacramento on Tuesday to defend the rights of professional athletes to file workers compensation insurance claims for injuries suffered while playing.

Montana, who played in the National Football League for 16 years, including 14 in San Francisco, retired from football after the 1994 season and is, by all accounts, extremely wealthy.

But he said he suffers from a variety of work-related ailments, including a bad back and knee. He said he can’t run because of the pain, and has a hard time playing basketball with his kids, ages 11, 10, 7 and 5.

About a year ago he filed a claim with the workers compensation insurance system. The maximum weekly disability payment is $490, but an award also could include future medical costs.

Montana said the future medical costs concern him. If he eventually needs knee replacement surgery, as he fears, the price tag would be close to $50,000.

He said he thinks his future medical expenses should be paid by the 49ers’ workers compensation insurance company. No tax money is involved, he said.

“This is not your money we’re talking about,” Montana said. “This is part of the owners’ and part of ours.”

Montana said he is better off than most players. “This is about all those guys with a career three or four years along that ends with an injury,” he said.

State Sen. Quentin Kopp, I-San Francisco, is carrying one of the bills that would bar athletes from filing claims for cumulative trauma injuries. He argues that an athlete voluntarily assumes such a risk in return for high wages and generous benefits.

Several states, including Florida, have restricted workers compensation claims by professional athletes.

The average annual NFL salary is $712,000, according to the owners. If a player is injured in midseason, he receives his salary for that year, plus up to $200,000 for the next season if he can’t play.

There are also other benefits, including unemployment insurance, supplemental disability insurance and pensions, said NFL President Neil Austrian.