PFT: Mark Murphy, Jerry Richardson make pitch to retired players

[cowboyjoe]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...rry-richardson-make-pitch-to-retired-players/

Now, Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy and Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, both former NFL players, have penned a letter to all retired players.

Agent Ralph Cindrich, a retired player who represents current ones, posted the letter today, via Twitter.

Here’s the full text of it, with our comments interspersed in parentheses.
“Dear Retired Player: On March 11, the NFL Players Association – which states that it represents players ‘past, present and future’ – walked away from the bargaining table, announced it was giving up its status as a labor organization, and sued the NFL in Minnesota. As retired players who are members of the owners’ bargaining committee, we have a unique perspective because we understand these issues from all sides. More importantly, we understand the challenges former players and their families face.”

 

[InmanRoshi]

That the owners believe they plead the case to ex players to turn on the NFLPA because they didn't repeal the rights that they've fought and sacrificed to get to for decades is the type of hubris I've come to expect from NFL owners. These are people who really are so accustomed to get anything they want that they believe its some sort of unbalance in the universe when someone stands up to them.

 

[Idgit]

That the owners believe they plead the case to ex players to turn on the NFLPA because they didn't repeal the rights that they've fought and sacrificed to get to for decades is the type of hubris I've come to expect from NFL owners. These are people who really are so accustomed to get anything they want that they believe its some sort of unbalance in the universe when someone stands up to them.

Pfffffffffffftt.

 

[Arch Stanton]

Ron Jaworski.....

“I’ve been around long enough to understand that present-day players, they don’t understand what the guys went through in [past players' strikes]. . . . Quite honestly, I don’t think they really give a damn about the guys that laid the foundation for the game. I think it’s a lot of verbiage, but I don’t think they really care.”

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Unfortunately, I think Jaws speaks the truth on that.

 

[Hostile]

Unfortunately, I think Jaws speaks the truth on that.

Yes sir.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Unfortunately, I think Jaws speaks the truth on that.

Not to say he's wrong.. Jaws is speaking from a man with hindsight, but I wonder how many players when he played gave alot of props to the older players before them.

My point is simply that the view by some current players doesn't mean it's unique to them. By nature, I think current players only think about their current situation and their immediate future. Not 10-20 years from now.

Having followed the retired players saga, their bennies are much better than they were 5 years ago and whenever they get a new CBA negotiated, they'll be even better.

 

[adbutcher]

Not to say he's wrong.. Jaws is speaking from a man with hindsight, but I wonder how many players when he played gave alot of props to the older players before them.

My point is simply that the view by some current players doesn't mean it's unique to them. By nature, I think current players only think about their current situation and their immediate future. Not 10-20 years from now.

Having followed the retired players saga, their bennies are much better than they were 5 years ago and whenever they get a new CBA negotiated, they'll be even better.

Too much like right.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Not to say he's wrong.. Jaws is speaking from a man with hindsight, but I wonder how many players when he played gave alot of props to the older players before them.

My point is simply that the view by some current players doesn't mean it's unique to them. By nature, I think current players only think about their current situation and their immediate future. Not 10-20 years from now.

No doubt. I didn't say it was unique to football players. These are very young guys. And I'm sure their agents are in their ears, too.

But still... A lot of older players have tried to educate them about this, so it's not like they don't understand it at all.

 

[WoodysGirl]

No doubt. I didn't say it was unique to football players. These are very young guys. And I'm sure their agents are in their ears, too.

But still... A lot of older players have tried to educate them about this, so it's not like they don't understand it at all.

And the only players who are listening closely are the players who are looking at the end of the road and seeing their football mortality up close and personal.

Young guys just entering the league just wanna play, get paid, and get laid...and not necessarily in that order. And while they are being educated, it's not until they suffer some sort of injury that they even worry about it...or get close to the end of their first contract. That's when their eligible for the bennies that the league offers.

I feel for the older players. I think it's ridiculous that a guy like Bob Lilly may get only $200/mo after all he contributed to the Cowboys. Imagine how little a guy not named Bob Lilly gets a month?

That said, I wonder how many of those same older guys mad at the current players, were one of those same current players who didn't care back in the day. The retired players will get taken care of in this next CBA. I truly believe that both sides are committed to it.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I'm beginning to think that the NFLPA is paying Mike Florio to write these extremely bias articles.

He seriously couldn't be pushing his agenda any harder than he does.

 

[TNCowboy]

Unfortunately, I think Jaws speaks the truth on that.

100%. But I think that is the case in most sports.

 

[MC KAos]

this is sports, paved the way by what? playing a sport for a living before it became lucrative? give me a break! the only way this is relevant is if we are talking about Jackie Robinson or someone like that ACTUALLY paving the way for a whole race to able to do something they love. they played sports for a living, they didnt get discriminated against for their skin color, or work 80+ hours a week in factories under dangerous conditions, jaws is way off on this one

 

[wileedog]

this is sports, paved the way by what? playing a sport for a living before it became lucrative? give me a break! the only way this is relevant is if we are talking about Jackie Robinson or someone like that ACTUALLY paving the way for a whole race to able to do something they love. they played sports for a living, they didnt get discriminated against for their skin color, or work 80+ hours a week in factories under dangerous conditions, jaws is way off on this one

I kinda agree with this. While some of the older guys are suffering physical pain etc, now and are not rich like modern players, I doubt a single one of them would have traded their careers for the chance to be an accountant or a coal miner.

This goes along with all of the "heroes" hyperbole too prominent in sports these days.