Employers take different approaches to employee benefits, and NFL teams are no different.
Former NFL players Ross Tucker and Darren Waller recently shared their insights on this topic during an interview, highlighting the varying levels of support and amenities provided by different franchises.
Ross Tucker, a journeyman offensive lineman-turned-podcast host, interviewed the recently retired Darren Waller about his experiences playing for the Ravens, Raiders, and Giants. Waller praised the Giants for their comprehensive support of players. “I like the Giants a lot,” Waller told Tucker. “You can tell the ownership and the people upstairs are very present. I think that was the first team I was on that paid for your massages and acupuncture and all those little things. [They] took that off of your plate.”
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Waller’s positive experience with the Giants contrasts sharply with Tucker’s time in the NFL. Tucker, who played for the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots, had a different perspective. “None of my teams paid for massages,” Tucker wrote online after the interview. “Heck, the Cowboys payroll deducted for lunch.” Tucker’s stint with the Cowboys in 2002, during which the team went 5-11 under coach Dave Campo, was notably less accommodating.
Waller’s appreciation for the Giants is shared by many players. The Giants ranked ninth in the NFL Players Association’s annual team report cards last year. The team is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, regularly welcoming players’ families to the facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and hosting an annual family day during training camp. “They just do things the right way,” Waller said. “The way they treat families coming up for training camp and getting all that set up – it’s just those little things that matter that show they care about individual players.”
However, not all NFL teams receive such high marks.
The Atlanta Falcons received an ‘F’ in the 2024 player survey, with players complaining about a lack of toilets and poor bathroom ventilation. The Cincinnati Bengals also faced criticism for plumbing issues. “Half of the showers in their locker room don’t function properly, lacking either warm water or sufficient water pressure,” the survey findings revealed. “They also mention persistent plumbing issues, leaving them with only five functioning toilets for the entire team.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were cited as having the worst facilities according to the survey. “The players say the locker room is not clean, constantly smelly, and has a persistent bug issue in the showers,” the report stated. “They also mention that the sauna is dirty and/or moldy, small, and constantly breaking down.”
These discrepancies in player treatment and facilities highlight the wide range of experiences within the NFL. While some teams like the Giants prioritize player welfare and create supportive environments, others fall short, impacting players’ overall satisfaction and well-being.
