To the Editor,

The injury to Buffalo Bills football player, Damar Hamlin, was horrific and it opened the discussion of injuries that can occur to professional athletes. It goes without saying, many sports can be dangerous, just like many jobs that are not sports can be very dangerous as well. The difference between professional football and other dangerous jobs is the money they are paid and the insurance that covers them in an injury.

Our active soldiers in the field are barely paid a living wage, and they put their lives on the line every time they go on a mission in the field. However, we do not flock to their sides every time they are severely injured or die and their story does not make the nightly news for a month. The support and money they receive to regain normalcy is minimal and barely covers their need.

The same thing goes for Police and Fireman; they put themselves in harm’s way and lose their lives and are permanently damaged for life. The difference for them and the military is they are paid more, their insurance benefits are premium, and they are compensated for their loss and injury until they die. They are also allowed to sue for injuries and the military cannot.

I am so amazed how other professional athletes, Hollywood’s elite and others gave over $8 million to buy toys for Daman’s charity, Chasing M’s Foundation. What I would hope Damar would do is decide on his own that he spread the wealth to Marine’s Toys for Tots, Wounded Warriors, Tunnels 2 Towers, Gary Sinise Foundation, USO and so much more, all while keeping the $2,500 he had hope to raise.

Leslie Derrig

Warwick