Earlier this month New England Patriots Defensive Lineman Kyle Love was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
While this is a serious illness, it is one that is becoming more and more manageable and we have seen plenty of athletes continue to play over the years, even with Type 1 Diabetes (the more serious diagnosis).
Despite this, the New England Patriots decided to release Love, giving him the designation of having a non-football injury/illness and placing him on waivers. This seems a cold and callous move by the organization especially considering the fact that Love (like most non-superstar NFL players) has a contract that is not guaranteed, and he receives zero dollars if cut before the season.
Love’s agent Richard Kopelman said the following:
“Naturally, we are disappointed that the Patriots decided to part ways with Kyle, especially in light of the fact that a number of elite professional athletes with diabetes — both Type 1, which is known to be far more difficult to manage than Type 2 diabetes — have had very successful careers in professional football, hockey, baseball and basketball.”
“Prior to the diagnosis, Kyle recently experienced unexplained weight loss, but since being diagnosed and having altered his diet, Kyle has regained most of the weight he lost, is in good health, and was not limited in any way during offseason workouts in which he was engaged up until being told he would be released.
“Having consulted with leading authorities on the effects of Type 2 diabetes, we have every reason to believe that Kyle will, in the immediate future, be at 100 percent, and will be prepared to participate in training camp in a couple of months. As Kyle said, ‘There is no way something like this is going to stand between me and a long and successful NFL career.'”
Fortunately it would appear that the story has a happy ending as Love has been claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars will inherit 100% of Love’s contract. While Love still has to make the Jaguars out of training camp next year, we at LWOS believe he is still a valuable and contributing member of an NFL defensive line, as he was with the Patriots last year, and he will do so. Its nice to know that Love will not be one of those players who loses out for something outside his control.
While everything appears to be working out in the end here, this is a case that shows where the NFL system of non-guaranteed contracts can create some very harsh and unfair results for pro football players.
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PhotoCredit: TheObamacrat.com, CC
