That's exactly why these guys try to make money when they can so they can take care of themselves. They know others aren't going to take care of them. They also know, no matter how much the fans love you while you're playing, you aren't getting their financial support after your playing days are through. Players looking for that first big deal are trying to get that long term security. It's easy to say that players should invest wisely, but investments carry risk too, they don't always pan out. I don't begrudge players trying to make what they can, particularly early in their careers, I'm not gonna have to pay their bills later in life.
Not once did Earl ever complain or tell me about his health issues and I never brought it up with him either. I would ask his family/friends on those tough days, when you could see he was struggling, how he was doing. They were always cordial about it and joke, he shouldn't be out today but he wanted to come out and once he sets his mind, you can't tell him no. He was fun to be around on those good days tho