Old Guard telling it the way it is

[burmafrd]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/06/20/hall-of-fame.ap/index.html?eref=sircrc


For those in love with the union, this is not so great a read.

But only those myopic and uncaring will not admit that the Players Union ignored the old timers.

 

[DFWJC]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/06/20/hall-of-fame.ap/index.html?eref=sircrc


For those in love with the union, this is not so great a read.

But only those myopic and uncaring will not admit that the Players Union ignored the old timers.

The agents run the Unions (or close to it) and the old timers don't help them much.

 

[superpunk]

old people are always *****ing about something.

"but we built the game, someone should give us a handout, boo-hoo"

you should have saved your money, grandpa. Don't cry to me because you were financially irresponsible. I don't do welfare. I'm not a socialist.

 

[LittleD]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/06/20/hall-of-fame.ap/index.html?eref=sircrc


For those in love with the union, this is not so great a read.

But only those myopic and uncaring will not admit that the Players Union ignored the old timers.

This is typical for today's young people I suspect...

I see the game's greats being left out in the cold if today's players don't contribute some of their quan to the old players kitty. The owners are not going to foote the bill for the whole tab...


Of course, there are two sides to every story. The retired players knew the parameters which they played in in their era. Their plight is not uncommon for other segments of workers... If you look at policeman, fireman, fisherman, heavy construction workers, and other dangerous professions; you could make a case that they don't deserve any better benefits than the rank and file patrons (fans) of the game.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Clearly the best way for current palyers to respect the former players is to give into every demand of the owners and give up every inch of ground those former players collectively fought for over the last 40 years.

 

[peplaw06]

Obvious troll is obvious. Too bad the article doesn't really support obvious troll's agenda.

 

[casmith07]

Obvious troll is obvious. Too bad the article doesn't really support obvious troll's agenda.

Nothing ever supports the OP's agendas.

 

[The30YardSlant]

Count me as myopic and uncaring

 

[Reality]

Clearly the best way for current palyers to respect the former players is to give into every demand of the owners and give up every inch of ground those former players collectively fought for over the last 40 years.

Clearly the best way is to completely ignore the older players and pretend they do not exist! Great philosophy you support! What a wonderful fan you are!

-Reality

 

[The30YardSlant]

Clearly the best way is to completely ignore the older players and pretend they do not exist! Great philosophy you support! What a wonderful fan you are!

-Reality

Get in line behind all the other bleeding hearts. I could probably get a couple hundred out of you with a fake limp and a box of kittens.

 

[Reality]

Get in line behind all the other bleeding hearts. I could probably get a couple hundred out of you with a fake limp and a box of kittens.

I am in no way a bleeding heart for any player, retired or current. However, the Players Association touts themselves as the leaders of the little man yet Smith and his posse have ignored their counterparts with the retired players association.

Do I think anyone including the PA or the NFL should be responsible for retired players who spent their money poorly or simply want hand outs? Absolutely not!

But there are a lot of former football players who have been and are suffering long term ailments caused by their football playing days and unlike today's players, those former football players 1) did not know about brain diseases they would suffer from because of football and 2) did not make millions of dollars like most players do now.

I understand your agenda, but there is a time where you put agendas aside and do what is right.

-Reality

 

[The30YardSlant]

I am in no way a bleeding heart for any player, retired or current. However, the Players Association touts themselves as the leaders of the little man yet Smith and his posse have ignored their counterparts with the retired players association.

Do I think anyone including the PA or the NFL should be responsible for retired players who spent their money poorly or simply want hand outs? Absolutely not!

But there are a lot of former football players who have been and are suffering long term ailments caused by their football playing days and unlike today's players, those former football players 1) did not know about brain diseases they would suffer from because of football and 2) did not make millions of dollars like most players do now.

I understand your agenda, but there is a time where you put agendas aside and do what is right.

-Reality

The player's union is an absolute joke (as are most unions, it's the nature of the impractical beast) but not because they don't make retired players who did not invest their money wisely their number one priority.

Are there players with serious medical issues caused by football? Yes. Are there just as many with serious medical issues that are not a result of their career? Yes. The problem is both groups, along with the financially irresponsible, are asking for help and nobody with a platform has the spine to tell those unworthy of help to piss off. The NFLPA needs to take these on a case by case basis and not implement the sweeping policy changes so many are calling for.

As for the agenda comment, if a common sense approach means I have an agenda than so be it.

 

[burmafrd]

Obvious troll is obvious. Too bad the article doesn't really support obvious troll's agenda.

shysters are renowned for their ability to pick and choose words from a page and ignore the rest.

 

[burmafrd]

The player's union is an absolute joke (as are most unions, it's the nature of the impractical beast) but not because they don't make retired players who did not invest their money wisely their number one priority.

Are there players with serious medical issues caused by football? Yes. Are there just as many with serious medical issues that are not a result of their career? Yes. The problem is both groups, along with the financially irresponsible, are asking for help and nobody with a platform has the spine to tell those unworthy of help to piss off. The NFLPA needs to take these on a case by case basis and not implement the sweeping policy changes so many are calling for.

As for the agenda comment, if a common sense approach means I have an agenda than so be it.

There is no reason that the NFL cannot insure at the least good medical coverage for the older players. And quite a number of them were players before there was a lot of money in the NFL. Up through the 70's most NFL players except the very top ones had second jobs. So talking about them saving their money is a joke.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Clearly the best way is to completely ignore the older players and pretend they do not exist! Great philosophy you support! What a wonderful fan you are!

-Reality

I didn't know they completely ignored the ex players. For example, I'm pretty sure they provide a pension.

And according to Mort, this is a provision of the projected CBA

Retirees to benefit from improved health care, pension benefits as revenue projected to double to $18 million by 2016.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6687485

Pretty sure the players had to fight for that.



Say, you wouldn't be resort to hyperbole to paint the players in a bad light because you're a shameless pro-ownership shill, would you?

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I don't know why DSmith has refused to meet with the retired players, but he's always said one of the core issues was better health care for players after their career.

 

[The30YardSlant]

There is no reason that the NFL cannot insure at the least good medical coverage for the older players.

Unless they are receiving care for a football related ailment, I see no good reason why they should be expected to do anything at all. A former player with lung cancer is very sad, but that's part of life. The NFLPA should address only medical issues associated with football.

d quite a number of them were players before there was a lot of money in the NFL. Up through the 70's most NFL players except the very top ones had second jobs. So talking about them saving their money is a joke.

The 300+ million citizens who are not professional athletes say hi and will be expecting their checks from the NFLPA shortly.

This comment is a slap in the face to the millions who get up and go to work at average jobs every day and have no problem saving and living without outside help. You want me to feel bad for a bunch of guys who got paid to play a game during their prime years? Go find someone else. Roger Staubach didnt make hundreds of millions off of sports, but he, his children and his children's children are already set for life. Why? Because he was smart. He had a thing so many lack called foresight. He invested his money wisely.

 

[DeaconBlues]

I don't know why DSmith has refused to meet with the retired players, but he's always said one of the core issues was better health care for players after their career.

Not true. DeSmith has declined to meet with a certain group of retired players who are funded soley by the NFL and owners. He has met with other groups and individual retired players.

And, if the leaked proposal is accurate, the deal does include better insurance and health care for retired players.

 

[gmoney112]

Get a job.

 

[burmafrd]

Unless they are receiving care for a football related ailment, I see no good reason why they should be expected to do anything at all. A former player with lung cancer is very sad, but that's part of life. The NFLPA should address only medical issues associated with football.



The 300+ million citizens who are not professional athletes say hi and will be expecting their checks from the NFLPA shortly.

This comment is a slap in the face to the millions who get up and go to work at average jobs every day and have no problem saving and living without outside help. You want me to feel bad for a bunch of guys who got paid to play a game during their prime years? Go find someone else. Roger Staubach didnt make hundreds of millions off of sports, but he, his children and his children's children are already set for life. Why? Because he was smart. He had a thing so many lack called foresight. He invested his money wisely.

Wow. you really don't get it. A large number of those older players have very significant medical problems DUE to playing football. So how is their case any different then those in the asbestos lawsuits?