Former Chiefs Safety Mike Brown Gets Illinois Workers' Comp From Bears For Injuries

by Joel Thorman on Jul 15, 2010 12:21 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

The Chiefs signed Mike Brown last offseason despite his serious injury history. Brown hadn't played a full season since 2003 because of various injuries. But, because he was a coach-on-the-field type, the Chiefs hired him.

Somewhat surprisingly, he played in and started all 16 games last year.

However, those injuries with the Bears (which I have detailed after the jump) caused him to receive some money for Illinois workers' compensation, according to Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune.

In addition, former Bears All-Pro safety Mike Brown, who led the Kansas City Chiefs in tackles last season, was awarded $140,000 after suffering leg and foot injuries while playing for the Bears.

"Brown would have received more money if he weren't still playing well for Kansas City," said Gordon, of Gordon Rappold & Miller, LLC law offices in Chicago.

By "playing well", I think he means starting all 16 games. If he had played well, the Chiefs likely would have resigned him.

Brown has a lengthy injury history. Here's a rundown of his injuries and games missed since 2002:

2002: offseason hand injury
2004: achilles injury (14 games)
2005: calf injury (4 games)
2006: Lisfranc fracture (10 games)
2007: knee injury (15 games)
2008: calf injury (1 game)

In May of 2008, the Bears reportedly restructured Brown's contract to protect themselves in case he was injured again. It's not clear how that contract factored into it (if at all).

Tweet Comment 24 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Not to say I had a lot anyways

But I lost a lot of respect for Mike Brown with this. Even going by league minimums he be a multi millionaire by now with his experience. Did he really need to drain state coffers even more in these times for a relatively small sum?Playing in the NFL one should expect injury and not only that I am sure they have an excellent health plan (for those employed).

Just freaking suck it up!

Check out my blog on software development:
http://www.turnleafdesign.com/

by Scaryclouds on Jul 15, 2010 12:41 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Did he really need to drain state coffers even more in these times for a relatively small sum?

Just taking back the money he’s put in, and rightly so.

If someone asks you if you want extra mayonnaise you have to say yes, cus that's part of it.
-Jared Allen

by JComp11 on Jul 15, 2010 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I seriously doubt he put 140k into the system

Not to mention the system was meant as a social welfare net for those who are unable to pay hospital bills and/or lost wages.

Check out my blog on software development:
http://www.turnleafdesign.com/

by Scaryclouds on Jul 15, 2010 1:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I'll bet he put a 140k into a good accountant so that he pays as little in tax dollars as possible

by harleyman1200 on Jul 15, 2010 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Have you seen the IL taxes?

I’m sure he put more than that into it

by KCinIL on Jul 15, 2010 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Well if he feels he's owed that because of the taxes he paid,

Then by all means, let him work a $35 K a year job where he won’t have to pay taxes.

Disclaimer: This comment does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride. More likely than not the above comment should not be taken figuratively or literally by anyone... ever. Any result of Pantiesina Wadicus is purely coincidental and can likely be remedied by lightening up.

by Red N Gold Beast on Jul 15, 2010 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Man you need to get with the program and read carefully

When did I say he felt he was owed because of the taxes he paid? Someone said they doubt he paid that much in taxes and I said the IL taxes are outrageous and probably paid more than that. Jesus Christ man get over it. We get it you don’t agree. Fine. According to you Mike Brown is the same as “corrupt washington” this nation is awful yada yada yada. He spent 4 years playing for free(college) and when he was up here did a lot for the communities around here, hell more than Urlachers ass. He deserves whatevers owed to him. Period.

by KCinIL on Jul 15, 2010 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions

More power to him.

Did he really need to drain state coffers even more in these times for a relatively small sum?

$140,000 is a lot more than I make. If he can get that much, more power to him. It’s like when a kid finds a bunch of scholarship money and a student with much better grades doesn’t. Does he deserve it? Probably not, but he was smart enough to sell himself and go after the cash.

You should be more upset at the system and how there was a loophole for him to be able to get that check, in the first place.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by Troy Hufford on Jul 15, 2010 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

You can easily

be upset with the system and upset with the person who took advantage of it.

Insert witty yet thought provoking phrase here.

by Fozzyboyd on Jul 15, 2010 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I fail to see the comparison.

Left Tackle is Brandon Albert's natural position.

by Idahochief on Jul 15, 2010 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes there are similarities between the scenarios

But what my issue with Brown is a lack of civic responsibility. There is no way he needs that money like the intended recipients (the poor, unemployed, and disabled) do.

If in your scenario you have a couple of college kids with similar backgrounds and means it’s hard to blame the (dumber?) kid for doing more research to pay for his college.

Check out my blog on software development:
http://www.turnleafdesign.com/

by Scaryclouds on Jul 15, 2010 1:48 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

"By "playing well", I think he means starting all 16 games."

That was funny, Joel.

Of course, the “playing well” bit came from a lawyer. And they always tell it just like it is. Right?

10 + wins in 2010. Chiefs SHOCK the NFL!!! Mark it down.

by Scott B. on Jul 15, 2010 1:17 PM CDT reply actions

And he hired a lawyer to help him collect it.

It is one thing to go ahead and cash a check that shows up in the mail that you are entitled to even though you don’t need it. It is another thing to aggressively pursue money that you don’t need by splitting it with a lawyer. Pioli should sue Brown for damages in the form of lost revenue for fraudulently portraying himself as a competent safety. It was performances like Brown’s that resulted in lost revenue in the form of decreased ticket sales.

Left Tackle is Brandon Albert's natural position.

by Idahochief on Jul 15, 2010 1:29 PM CDT reply actions

Ill bet he would opt out of the check

if he could get back what he paid in. Even with his withdrawal he has funded many peoples workers comp. The only way you could exempt these guys from collecting is to exempt them from paying, and that is a very bad idea. THe odds are by far in favor of the little guy.

by fgxtom on Jul 15, 2010 1:34 PM CDT reply actions

"still" playing well? the guy is currently not headed to any training camps in 2weeks

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.

by SDChief on Jul 15, 2010 1:45 PM CDT reply actions

I see a lot of negative over-dramatic statements in here

Anyone that is owed anything should be paid what is owed to them. Period. And yes, Brian Waters and Will Shields would do the same if it was them, that’s an NFLPA issue, something they’re very involved in right?

by KCinIL on Jul 15, 2010 2:08 PM CDT reply actions

Precisely the problem

I’m not sure why, but this was not an NFLPA issue. This was an issue with the state of IL. If he wanted an injury settlement, he should have taken it up with the NFLPA or the Bears. The problem is that his sleazebag lawyer knew it would be easier to win a legal battle against the state then it would the league. And personally, I don’t know Waters or Shields, so maybe they would do the same thing if they were in Brown’s position. But considering what they’ve done to help out the community in the past, I would like to think they would make a better moral decision.

by harleyman1200 on Jul 15, 2010 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe he did and they said take it up with the state?

None of us know fully so none of us should be complaining about someone that was paid WHAT HE WAS OWED for being injured during those seasons. Like I said before it says he could’ve made a lot more money if he didn’t go back to playing football. Sounds like a sleazebag to me.

by KCinIL on Jul 15, 2010 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

If he went after the NFL I would have no issue

Hell I think the NFL should do a better job of taking care of the health of it’s current and former employees as many players will have a hard time finding insurance after they are done playing.

But we are not talking about Brown suing a very wealthy corporation who’s existence helps supports many needy families, Brown is going after a state government during a financial crisis. I simply cannot condone these actions.

Check out my blog on software development:
http://www.turnleafdesign.com/

by Scaryclouds on Jul 15, 2010 2:52 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

You hit it it on the head.

From what I understand, injury benefits is a big sticking point with the new CBA. The NFLPA wants more benefits paid to injured and retired players which is the way it should be. The league and the owners make plenty of money and should take care of their own.

It just ticks me off to see this kind of news when there are so many people in this country struggling right now.

by harleyman1200 on Jul 15, 2010 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

You guys don’t understand this. The workers comp insurance policy for the Chicago Bears, according to the Illinois Workers Compensation Commision’s website, is the National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh. A little more looking reveals that they are a part of AIG.

Bet you don’t feel so upset knowing that AIG would be on the hook for comp claims greater than the deductible do you?

If someone asks you if you want extra mayonnaise you have to say yes, cus that's part of it.
-Jared Allen

by JComp11 on Jul 15, 2010 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I can't believe we're even discussing this.

I’m going to sleep for two weeks. Would someone please wake me up the morning of the first day of training camp?

"Myths and legends die hard in America. We love them for the extra dimension they provide, the illusion of near-infinite possibility to erase the narrow confines of most men's reality. Weird heroes and mold-breaking champions exist as living proof to those who need it that the tyranny of 'the rat race' is not yet final."

~Hunter S. Thompson~

by TheK-man on Jul 15, 2010 4:20 PM CDT reply actions