Former 49er Delvin Williams suing NFL for disability benefits

Former San Francisco 49er running back, Delvin Williams shuffles through old photos he collected over the years.

Former 49ers Pro Bowl running back Delvin Williams is suing the NFL for disability benefits, according to a complaint filed in California district court Tuesday.

Williams, now 68 years old, played from 1974-1977 with the 49ers. The suit alleges the NFL denied his claim for retroactive disability benefits after he suffered injuries during his time in the league.

According to documents from a 2007 Senate hearing on the NFL’S post-career benefits policy, Williams suffered “two concussions, broken ribs, a dislocated thumb, knee and spinal injuries, as well as numerous other joint and vertebrae injuries” in his eight-year NFL career, necessitating six surgeries.

The NFL denied Williams’ 1983 application for post-career benefits, but approved another request in 1995, the Senate document says. After that approval, though, Williams sued the NFL for retroactive benefits dating back several years and lost.

The Niners traded Williams to Miami in 1978 for receiver Freddie Solomon, safety Vern Roberson and two draft picks. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1976 with San Francisco and 1978 with Miami.

Williams’ new suit is the latest in a string of former players suing the league after sustaining lifealtering injuries while playing in the NFL, including a concussion settlement that has reached over $668 million in payouts.