Atkins v. Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan

EDITH BROWN CLEMENT, Circuit Judge:

Gene Atkins, a former player for the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins National Football League (“NFL”) teams, filed suit seeking more generous disability benefits under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan (the “Plan”). The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the Plan, affirming its benefits determinations that Atkins is only eligible for “Inactive” player disability benefits instead of the more generous “Football Degenerative” disability benefits he seeks. Atkins challenges the standard of review employed by the…