[martamoreno]

Hmm too bad that there are literally at least a billion people on earth with much more sad stories that didn't have a 10 mio. policy coverage for "when they can't do what they love to do" anymore, and also most people can't do what they love to do in the first place.

There is a name for all that, it's called "luxury problems". Like Paris Hilton telling us that her boyfriend threw her diamond thong out of the window and she can't find it anymore. Terrible.

[katzgrau]

Happiness and hardship are only relatively quantifiable. You can't draw the conclusion that he had less of a struggle simply because he has money.

I'll probably get downvoted for this, but somebody needs to say it: you're an a-hole.

[JohnBooty]

1. I don't see this athlete claiming his story is comparable to the plight of refugees or anything like that.

2. Nobody is requiring anybody to read his story; he's simply making it available to anybody that is interested.

3. His story is relevant to millions of (professional, amateur, and occasional) athletes around the world... and millions more with traumatic brain injury.

4. He does have millions of dollars, but a lot of people with chronic illness would gladly trade all that money for a clean bill of health.

5. Consider that when you hear figures like "ten million dollars" that the player may receive only half of that, when taxes and agents' fees are deducted.

6. Even if he got to keep all $10mil tax-free (which he almost certainly didn't, IMO) if he lives another 50 years, that's only $120K per year. A comfortable living, well above average, but certainly not unlimited.

[greenyoda]

"5. Consider that when you hear figures like 'ten million dollars' that the player may receive only half of that, when taxes and agents' fees are deducted."

The $10 million he got was from an insurance policy, which he said was "tax-free", and which it sounds like he bought for himself. That agrees with what the IRS says:

"If you pay the entire cost of a health or accident insurance plan, don't include any amounts you receive for your disability as income on your tax return."[1]

And I doubt that his agent would be entitled to any of his disability insurance.

I agree with your other points.

[1] https://www.irs.gov/help-resources/tools-faqs/faqs-for-indiv...

[JohnBooty]

Thanks! I missed that.

[mobilefriendly]

No, tens of millions of Americans are playing or played football and almost all never made any money. Many people also suffer concussive blasts in war zones. Concussions and their lingering impact are a huge issue and this was helpful and interesting, particularly that meditation may help stimulate the whole brain.

[Broken_Hippo]

His problems with his head aren't "luxury problems". Folks are dealing with these sorts of injuries, only we ignore them much of the time and give them a pittance to live on, if they are lucky. Many people also get swallowed in a pool of depression when they get too sick to work. How many of us link our identity to work and other such things? His story is more positive than most with this: He's lucky enough to be able to get such treatment that it is out of range for most folks. It is unfortunate.

I really, really don't see how lasting problems from brain injuries is anywhere near the same as your Paris Hilton "luxury example", except for the fact that he happens to have some money.

[PhasmaFelis]

Oh yes, the "we must completely fix the worst problem in the world before we even think about the second worst" argument.