RealGM

Honestly, what do you all think of Gene Upshaw and his boys? They're taking a lot of heat lately with some very strong backing.

Eh, like all Players

i have no idea what they are fighting about.

Im glad someone started this thread. I've been watching this pretty intently for about the past 6 months. I dont know enough about the legal issues involving unions to speak about that, but it seems like this union, which has the resources, could take care of its former members a little better. When the league and union are as healthy as they are today, and hall of fame players that helped pave the way are making under $100 a month in their pension, somethings wrong.

Also, Gene Upshaw seems to watch too much of the Sopranos because he seems to be running the union like its the Teamsters. In what other situation is it ok for a president of a multimillion dollar industry to publicly threaten to break someones neck?

I'm working up a piece on it, I'll post a link when it's up.

Marcus Allen wrote a good op-ed a couple months back, check his column archives here.

I'll say this much: I played HS football against Brian Demarco and he was one hell of an athlete, a great natural physical specimen. To see a guy my age with so many major physical problems is downright depressing. The fact that he earned just shy of $20M in his career and he can't afford health care 6 years after he retired is disgusting. And when you think that he actually played when the benefits were even better than the guys who played in the 80s and earlier, it makes you wonder how much the current players look into their own futures. My guess is that almost none of them do, or care to do so, until they're at the end of the line.

they really need to try and get a guy like LT, Peyton or Tom to speak out on it. just give them a bribe to speak on behalf of the old timers. Those type of players wont ever need the help but since they're the face of the league for them to speak up on it could potentially stir up alot of things.

Icness wrote:I'm working up a piece on it, I'll post a link when it's up.

Marcus Allen wrote a good op-ed a couple months back, check his column archives here.

I'll say this much: I played HS football against Brian Demarco and he was one hell of an athlete, a great natural physical specimen. To see a guy my age with so many major physical problems is downright depressing. The fact that he earned just shy of $20M in his career and he can't afford health care 6 years after he retired is disgusting. And when you think that he actually played when the benefits were even better than the guys who played in the 80s and earlier, it makes you wonder how much the current players look into their own futures. My guess is that almost none of them do, or care to do so, until they're at the end of the line.

So you're with Upshaw on this one?

Someone on Around The Horn (Mariotti?) made a really good point that in a $6 billion dollar industry only 1.2 million go to former players. Unbelievable.

Also these former players who put it all on the line for this league only have insurance from the league for I think four years after they exit. It needs to be lifetime.

WashWiz54 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



So you're with Upshaw on this one?

Someone on Around The Horn (Mariotti?) made a really good point that in a $6 billion dollar industry only 1.2 million go to former players. Unbelievable.

Also these former players who put it all on the line for this league only have insurance from the league for I think four years after they exit. It needs to be lifetime.

I'm not necessarily with Upshaw, but I think his argument is legit.

If the union doesn't feel compelled to address the issues of the players that came before them, then why should anyone else? And most players clearly don't want to give up any of their own income for anything, not when push comes to shove. Those former players who were part of the NFLPA have only themselves to blame for not addressing the problem when they still had the chance. Upshaw only does what the NFLPA members want him to--he serves at their behest.

Link to my piece:
http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_encroachment/64/20070615/retired_players_in_an_unhealthy_position/

I wanted to go more into detail but I had to keep it pretty condensed.