PITTSBURGH — As in all facets of life, the National Football League is no stranger to heartache. Tragedies occur in the work force, whether involving drug addiction, senseless violence or just untimely, unfortunate accidents. Very rarely they occur at the workplace.
Typically, these tragedies occur away from our gaze. They might happen when we are sleeping. They might happen when we are working. They can happen at any point when we are not paying attention. They do not occur under the watchful eye of a sporting nation. We do not witness them live on television, in high definition, in prime time.
In the past year alone, the NFL had three active players lose their lives. Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who was 24 when he was killed crossing an interstate in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was among them. Others were Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jeff Gladney, 25, who died in a car accident; and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, 26, who was found unresponsive at his home.
