Former Michigan State, NFL Star George Webster Dies

Discussion in 'NFL General Discussion' started by skinsfan1, Apr 19, 2007.

  1. skinsfan1

    skinsfan1 BANNED

    http://www.gridironfans.com/story.php?t=50130

    Source: AP [ Full Article ]
    George Webster, the battered former Michigan State All-American and pro football star who lost a U.S. Supreme Court attempt to have his NFL disability pension increased, died Thursday. He was 61. Webster died in Houston of heart failure. "I know that he had suffered from failing health for a long, long time," new Spartans football coach Mark Dantonio said Thursday night. He called Webster "one of the greatest players in the history of Michigan State football." Webster, an All-America defensive standout at Michigan State, was the Houston Oilers' first draft pick in 1967. He spent 5 1/2 seasons with Houston, a year and half with Pittsburgh and then played three seasons for New England. Former Oilers defensive end Elvin Bethea called Webster "one of the greatest linebackers who ever lived. "He was the prototype linebacker in the '60s and '70s. He could cover the whole field with great speed," Bethea told KRIV-TV in Houston. Bethea criticized the NFL's treatment of Webster. "The league doesn't care about the older players," he said. "They still don't respect us for what we've done as a group. We were the foundation for this league." In 1989, Webster applied for benefits as totally and permanently disabled. He was found to have lost most use of a hand, foot, knee and ankle due to football-related injuries but did not meet the NFL's definition of totally disabled. In 1998, the Supreme Court, let stand a finding by the NFL's retirement board that Webster's disability was not related to his football career.
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    Another disgrace the players union should have taken care of.