The New England Patriots cut defensive tackle Kyle Love last week after he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes earlier this month. Even though Love doesn't appear to be taking legal action, the Americans with Disabilities Act protects people with conditions that "substantially limits one or more major life activities".
Love has since been claimed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He started 41 games since being signed as an undrafted rookie by the Patriots in 2010. Over that time, Love recorded 5.5 sacks and 36 total tackles.
"I'm a fighter," he told the Associated Press on Monday. "I was always told that I wouldn't be able to do something. School teacher telling me I would never be anything in life, different people telling me I wouldn't make it to the NFL and look where I am now. I don't really listen to all that. If anything, it just drives me to go any harder and work even harder."
Last week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released employer guidelines for accommodating four specific disabilities, one of which was diabetes.
"Diabetes is a disability when it does not significantly affect a person's everyday activities, but the employer treats the individual as if it does," according to the EEOE website. "For example, an employer may assume that a person is totally unable to work because he has diabetes. Under the ADA, the determination of whether an individual has a disability is made on a case-by-case basis."
Patriots teammate and fellow defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick was also claimed by the Jaguars last week. Both are in Jacksonville practicing with their new team.
"It's been real NEW ENGLAND!!! Thanks for everything!!!," Love tweeted last week.
photo of Love courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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