Mo Hurst needs our help (another dispicable NCAA rule?)
In an article from 24/7 writer Josh Henschke, the topic of Mo Hurst's insurance policy came up while discussing his decision to play in the bowl game. Heres what Mo had to say:
Like Butt, Hurst says that he has taken an insurance policy out just in case...
However, Hurst is completely in the dark in terms of what his policy specifically states. Something, he says, is tough for some who may not necessarily have the resources to seek help.
"I do [have an insurance policy] but I have no idea what I signed," Hurst said. "That's one of the issues with this insurance thing. I wasn't as fortunate as Jake where his dad can be involved with that. I can't hire a lawyer to review my insurance policy and make sure it's the best one for me. I think that's an issue that people have to focus on because I'm not really sure what I signed."
It is stated further down in the thread that kids cannot receive free legal counsel because it would be an "impermissible benefit." What a load of crap! The hypocrisy of the NCAA is astounding. How is it that kids (especially those who cannot afford the help they need) are not allowed this service? As much money as the schools and NCAA make every year, this expense is a drop in the bucket. I truly cannot believe this is not allowed. This needs to be brought to the national medias attention ASAP. This has to be changed to protect the student athletes, their families, and their futures.
December 7th, 2017 at 4:34 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 3:36 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 4:02 PM ^
He can't ask a student because it's a violation of legal ethics for a law student to give legal advice. The ABA has urged very strict rules on the states about the Unauthorized Practice of Law.
And if he asks a professor, that just brings us back to our original problem. Professors are not giving legal advice to just any student who walks in so giving it to Mo Hurst is an impermissible benefit.
December 7th, 2017 at 11:44 PM ^
Is it really considered legal advice to tell im what it says?
December 8th, 2017 at 12:25 PM ^
An interpretation of a legal document, in this case an insurance contract, is legal advice. A non-lawyer could never get into any trouble giving that sort of advice but a lawyer or law student could.
December 7th, 2017 at 3:37 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 3:41 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 3:54 PM ^
Why not just ask JB for the phone number to his insurance agent? Then ask said agent for same contract as JB last year. Would get the benefit of legal advice (from when JB's dad paid a lawyer to negotiate it) without having to pay for it.....win/win.
December 7th, 2017 at 3:54 PM ^
why doesn't he just contact the insurance company and have them send him a copy of the policy? He has a Michigan education right? He should be able to read the policy...
December 7th, 2017 at 6:08 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 7:23 PM ^
December 8th, 2017 at 1:59 AM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 4:07 PM ^
https://studentlegalservices.umich.edu
December 7th, 2017 at 4:07 PM ^
his insurance policy can't come anywhere near the money that he would get as a first rounder. Myles Garrett got $30mm of which $20mm was upfront ... #10 in the first round got $16mm of which $10mm was upfront. Insurance policies don't pay that kind of money.
December 7th, 2017 at 4:22 PM ^
I work for a large insurance company and can get a top underwriter (not me) to review any policy from any carrier and explain it to Mo.
Mo, if you would like, reply to this message.
EDIT: This is not legal counsil, just one underwriter to another.
December 7th, 2017 at 4:31 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 4:38 PM ^
Nope. I'm an alumns offering anyone who has a complicated insurance question a meeting with an underwriter (who understands complex risk).
I don't get anything from this. In addition, if anyone alumni or not makes 7 figures or will soon, talk to my company (it's not my company, I'm a peon but it's a figure of speech). I will simply arrange a phone conversation with an underwriter who knows more about this than I do.
December 7th, 2017 at 5:16 PM ^
December 8th, 2017 at 1:54 AM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 4:22 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 4:34 PM ^
Sort of like selling them a car for a huge discount. It's still a benefit.
December 7th, 2017 at 5:51 PM ^
Not if you are a really bad attorney!
December 7th, 2017 at 4:22 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 4:46 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 4:50 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 4:38 PM ^
One possible resource he could utilize is a new program through the ABA called "free legal answers." You basically submit a question on-line and the program assigns an attorney to answer it. I think every state runs its program differently but in at least the Virginia program I am most familiar with vets the attorneys pretty well. Here is a link to the Michigan program:
December 7th, 2017 at 4:48 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 4:52 PM ^
I mean, the context here seems to be whether the insurance policy he took out gives him enough piece of mind to play in the Outback Bowl.
December 7th, 2017 at 5:13 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 7:47 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 5:04 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 5:12 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 5:48 PM ^
It's not that sinister. Jake Butt's policy paid out.
An injury clear and public enough to hurt your draft stock is an injury clear and public enough to compel an insurance company to pay out on an injury policy.
December 7th, 2017 at 5:30 PM ^
Despicable spelling
December 7th, 2017 at 5:34 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 6:15 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 5:45 PM ^
After a game once in 2008, I met Brandon Graham's mom and she talked about insurance policies for injuries.
They had a $2 million policy on Brandon, but they had to pay for it themselves. They got no assistance from the NCAA, nor were they allowed to get any. It was a hardship, but it was something they clearly had to do.
I was hoping by now the NCAA would lower this hurdle so that kids would feel more confident about staying in school.
Edit: From reading above, it looks like they did change it so that you don't have to pay the premium until you are getting paid in the NFL.
December 7th, 2017 at 6:05 PM ^
Frustrating to hear, and a fascinating question. I have asked my cousin who is an estate lawyer and who also is a registered sports agent representing a number of NFL players (including Michigan football alumni.) This is right in his wheel house. I will see what he says.
December 7th, 2017 at 6:22 PM ^
December 7th, 2017 at 7:44 PM ^
In EVERY state, if you are arrested you are able to obtain free legal counsel for a crime commited. Now, this might not make sense but, what happens if a student is arrested? By the NCAA's logic that means that they are recieving benefits. So in Mo's case, if an athlete is signing a document they have no clue about without legal representation, how are they supposed to know if they are getting worked by the NCAA. Schools should be able to provide athletes legal representation when they are in need of it. The same goes with health insurance, school's are able provide financial assistance after a certain amount when they are injured. So why are legal matters any different. If a school can provide money to surgeries, why couldn't they provide legal representation. Makes absolutley no sense at all.
December 7th, 2017 at 8:02 PM ^
Especially the ones who don't have families. Absolutely appauling.