Years ago, athletes' disability insurance was almost exclusively used by college football players with promising professional futures. Recent years, however, have seen an increase in the coverage's popularity among NFL players, especially those in contract years, according to a story in NJ.com.

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley, who suffered a possible career-ending spinal contusion earlier in the season, has said he is insured for $10 million, despite being in a good position financially if he were to never play football again, the story, written by Jordan Raanan, notes.

Similarly, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz bought disability insurance last year when he was set to become a restricted free agent, NJ.com says.

Conversely, another Giants wide receiver, Hakeem Nicks, opted out of the coverage. “It got brought my way but, honestly, I never really thought about it,” Nicks tells NJ.com. “I heard the good about it; I heard the bad about it.”

“The bad is you have to pay $40,000 to $50,000, and then if you don't get hurt, you don't get your money back,” Nicks tells NJ.com. “That's not a win-win situation in my book. I'd rather keep my money and pray about it and ask the Lord to keep me healthy.”

Read the whole story by Jordan Raanan at NJ.com.

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