Couple of things: The Seattlepi.com link does say the average life expectency is 53-59, but it's based on one doctor's opinion who has screened approximately 35 former players. While it is does provide some basis for further investigation, I wouldn't say that it's based on any sound statistical data. Frankly, I find it somewhat unbelievable.
Either way, it's a moot point, the player safety discussion is almost irrelevant to this discussion IMO. It's a tactic used by the NFLPA to shift the focus.
If we believe Kevin Mawae that the owners are asking the players to take a
20% paycut, then we're talking about going from an average annual salary of $1.9 million to $1.5 million. Or $750,000 to $600,000 based on the median figure. (I tend to think the paycut would be less than that considering 20% is the figure Mawae quote three months ago before either side began serious negotiations.)
Anyway, my point is that these players are still going to be millionaires. They are still getting a great salary to play a game for a living. We're not asking them to live below the poverty line here - or anywhere close to it for that matter. If they don't want to work for the price, let the owners find someone who will.