The level of health care support given to former players is a particular sticking point for Edwards, who claims the league's policies do not go far enough in cheap football shirtscaring for players of yesteryear. Those factors – combined with the obscenely brief shelf life of a pro football player (3½ years) – was a critical reason behind his transition to boxing.

"The average career of an NFL player depends on your position, but it can be as short as three and a half years," Edwards expl...