Bengals' push to change worker's comp rules a major fumble for Ohio pro athletes | Opinion

As a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, I've cheered for our team even when we were the worst franchise in the NFL. But as of right now, things only seem to be going up. Star quarterback Joe Burrow renewed hope for the Bengals, ending our 31-year playoff win drought and taking us to the Super Bowl. But even he is not immune to injury.

Fans were devastated when Burrow tore his ACL during his rookie year in 2020. It was a heart-wrenching moment to witness our prized quarterback sprawled on the ground, clutching his left knee in excruciating pain. With Burrow immediately ruled out for the rest of the season, the excitement that had encompassed Cincinnati was quickly dissipated.

In professional sports, where injuries are an inherent risk, it is critical to have systems in place to protect the health and wellbeing of players. Under the current Workers’ Compensation Act, injured athletes, like Burrow was in 2020, are entitled to receive compensation benefits, which includes coverage for medical expenses, lost wages and even lifelong health insurance for certain injuries.

But recently, Bengals ownership has asked the Ohio Legislature to strip Bengals and Browns players of their workers’ compensation benefits that all other employees in the state of Ohio are entitled to for the injuries they suffer at work, according to news reports. This amendment will prevent injured athletes from filing compensation claims if they remain on their team for five years after their injury. This change could result in the lifelong loss of health insurance coverage, leaving injured players with crippling medical bills.

This is a frustrating development in Ohio legislation and is particularly concerning for Bengals fans like me. The team has finally assembled a talented roster of players who want to play together here in Cincinnati because of our supportive fan base, team atmosphere and potential to become a football dynasty. But if these changes to the Workers' Compensation Act go through, it's hard to imagine that any top-tier athlete would ever want to play in the state of Ohio.

What makes this situation even more upsetting is that Bengals owner Mike Brown is the one driving this change. Brown has a reputation for being one of the cheapest franchise owners in NFL history, but this is a whole new level of shortsightedness. As a longtime NFL owner, Brown has surely seen the toll that injuries can take on players, especially on Burrow, yet he is willing to make these changes that would only benefit him. As a fan, it is frustrating to see the team's owner take such a cavalier attitude towards the safety of the players who have made the Bengals known as a winning team.

But this isn't just a Bengals issue; it's an Ohio issue. If these changes go through, athletes could be less likely to sign with Ohio teams, and the state could lose its place in the competitive landscape of professional sports. Not all players in Ohio make enough money to afford their own health insurance. Young players with career longevity will be at risk, as injuries sustained early on in their careers could impact their health in the long term but will be unable to file those prior claims. The proposed changes to the Workers' Compensation Act could effectively hinder the careers of these young athletes due to financial instability and leave them with no recourse in the state of Ohio.

It's up to us − fans, athletes, and lawmakers alike − to speak out against these proposed changes and protect the rights of all injured workers in Ohio, including athletes. We cannot let the bottom line of a few wealthy business owners take precedence over the health of those who risk their lives on the field for us. Mike Brown has a responsibility to prioritize the health and safety of all athletes, but especially his own players. We have a talented team that could continue achieving great things, but not if we're willing to sacrifice the long-term health of our players for short-term gain.

Terrelyn Virzi is a Milford native and undergraduate student at Columbia University studying Computer Science.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Changing worker's comp rules a major fumble for Ohio pro athletes