In the world of professional sports, employee benefits can vary greatly from team to team. Former NFL players Ross Tucker and Darren Waller recently shared their experiences with team perks, revealing some surprising differences.

Waller, who played for the Ravens, Raiders, and Giants, praised the Giants’ ownership for providing players with amenities like massages and acupuncture. “They just do things the right way,” Waller said. “The way they treat families coming up for training camp and getting all that set up – it’s just those little things that matter that show they care about individual players.”

Tucker, on the other hand, had a different experience playing for the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots. “None of my teams paid for massages,” Tucker wrote online. “Heck, the Cowboys payroll deducted for lunch.”

Darren Waller said the Giants treated him particularly well: ‘They just do things the right way’

The Giants’ commitment to their players’ well-being is evident in their team report cards. They ranked ninth in the NFL Players Association’s annual survey last year.

Not all teams fare as well. The Atlanta Falcons received an ‘F’ in the 2024 player survey, with players citing issues like a lack of toilets and poor bathroom ventilation.

The Giants team cafeteria in East Rutherford, New Jersey is popular among league players 

The Bengals and Buccaneers also faced issues with plumbing and cleanliness in their facilities.

While team perks may seem like a small aspect of professional sports, they can greatly impact a player’s experience and overall well-being. As Waller’s praise for the Giants shows, a little extra care and attention can go a long way in building a positive and supportive team environment.