Mike Webster

Michael Lewis Webster (born March 18, 1952 in Tomahawk, Wisconsin - died September 22, 2002 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) was an American football player who played center in the National Football League from 1974 to 1990. He is best known for his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though he played two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs towards the end of his career. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Post-football life

Webster is a controversial figure due to his tumultuous personal life after his retirement. He is believed to have been legally disabled in 1996, and possibly before, suffering from amnesia, dementia, depression, and acute bone and muscle pain. He lived out of his pickup truck or train stations between Wisconsin and Pittsburgh even though he had friends willing to rent apartments for him. He attended his Hall of Fame ceremony in 1997, but disturbed some with a rambling, 20-minute long, incoherent acceptance speech. His wife divorced him six months before his death in 2002.

Related Topics:
1996 - Wisconsin - Pittsburgh - 1997 - 2002

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It is universally believed that Webster's ailments were the result of damage sustained over his playing career, and some doctors estimated he had been in the equivalent of "25,000 automobile crashes". Protective equipment, in particular helmets, was inferior during Webster's career, and defensive players sometimes employed a "head slap" move that was then accepted although illegal. Nicknamed "Iron Mike", Webster's reputation for durability led him to play even though injured. Webster had also confessed to using anabolic steroids at points during his career.

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A lawsuit was filed in Maryland's U.S. District Court between Webster's estate and the National Football League. Webster's attorneys argue that he was disabled on his retirement, and is owed $1.142 million in disability payments under the NFL's retirement plan. On April 26, 2005, a federal judge ruled that the NFL benefits plan owed Webster's estate $1.18 million in benefits. With the addition of interest and fees, that amount will likely exceed $1.60 million. The NFL is expected to appeal the ruling.

Related Topics:
Maryland - U.S. District Court - National Football League - April 26 - 2005

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Webster is seen as an example of the difficulties American football players suffer when their careers are over. Other players notable for either having retired due to head injuries or having difficult post-career personal lives include Johnny Unitas, Merril Hoge, Troy Aikman, Joe Gilliam, and Al Toon.

Related Topics:
American football - Johnny Unitas - Merril Hoge - Troy Aikman - Joe Gilliam - Al Toon

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