13 replies to this topic

[tsylvester]

Or else they will boycott induction ceremony... Good, stay out, I gave up on the Hall of Fame many years ago, it is a joke. Now these butterflies who have made millions and still want more....

In a letter sent to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and Pro Football Hall of Fame president C. David Baker on Tuesday, many high-profile Pro Football Hall of Famers said they would not attend the annual induction ceremony until Hall of Famers receive health insurance and an annual salary that includes a share of league revenue.

But some of those Hall of Famers that supposedly had signed the letter, including Jerry Rice and Kurt Warner, said later Tuesday that while they support the idea of improved benefits for all players, they never said they would boycott Hall of Fame induction ceremonies......


The letter, obtained by ESPN, was sent by Dickerson and was said to have been signed by Hall of Fame Board members Rice, Warner, Marcus Allen, Mel Blount, Derrick Brooks, Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, Richard Dent, Carl Eller, Marshall Faulk, Mike Haynes, Rickey Jackson, Ronnie Lott, Curtis Martin, Joe Namath, John Randle, Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, Jackie Smith, Lawrence Taylor and Sarah White, Reggie White's widow.

http://www.espn.com/...annual-salaries

[papasmurfbell]

Many of those guys didn't make millions.  The guys that have I am thinking may have backed this to help the guys who didn't make much money.

[tsylvester]

No, most made a ton of money but spent it on swag, tattoos, cars, multiple mansions, women, investing with friends... White's widow should be ashamed of her self for signing that letter, if she did, Reggie made a boat load.

[papasmurfbell]

Jim Parker made a ton of cash.  Berry?  Sayers?  The money started coming in after FA was adopted in 94.  Most players in the HOF and loving now didn't make those dollars.

[vmax]

This could be negotiated into future contracts. Players would have to accept less money in salary and bonus while adding this benefit. They would bring home a lot less on the front end, yet guarantee future security.

It will piss of family, friends and girlfriends who want to cash in on them.

[tsylvester]

Jim Parker made a ton of cash.  Berry?  Sayers?  The money started coming in after FA was adopted in 94.  Most players in the HOF and loving now didn't make those dollars.

Of course not, but that does not mean they should get a pension pay & insurance for a life time. But HOFers get plenty of special benefits in their home town, at NFL functions, and yes, job offers.

I know many of the old timers went on to work simple jobs, but once you change this, millionaires will be getting this pension & insurance.

Sure, you could opt out a certain year, before or after, but with this, lawsuits would ensue...

[papasmurfbell]

This could be negotiated into future contracts. Players would have to accept less money in salary and bonus while adding this benefit. They would bring home a lot less on the front end, yet guarantee future security.

It will piss of family, friends and girlfriends who want to cash in on them.

That was the idea when Baird was trying to set things up several yrs ago.  But the union did not set it up bc they legally can't do it.  They have to work for the paying players and not former players.

 

 

 

Of course not, but that does not mean they should get a pension pay & insurance for a life time. But HOFers get plenty of special benefits in their home town, at NFL functions, and yes, job offers.

I know many of the old timers went on to work simple jobs, but once you change this, millionaires will be getting this pension & insurance.

Sure, you could opt out a certain year, before or after, but with this, lawsuits would ensue...

I met Jim Parker.  He had a small liquor store and bar in W Bmore.  He was not rolling in cash and getting stuff from the city and its fans.

[tsylvester]

Other than CTE, they knew what they were getting into, they played for the love of the game and stardom back then, today for money as well.

[Spen]

It's not like the NFL had huge piles of cash laying around! It needs is money to pay it's taxes!

[papasmurfbell]

Other than CTE, they knew what they were getting into, they played for the love of the game and stardom back then, today for money as well.

Johnny U didn't think he was going to have a crippled hand for life.  They knew exactly the timeand place he was injured and the NFL fought his wrokplace injury claim.

 

 

It's not like the NFL had huge piles of cash laying around! It needs is money to pay it's taxes!

They have huge piles now.

[tsylvester]

Even back then they knew if you break a bone, scar tissue forms, it leaves the joint susceptible to arthritis, crippling as we age. Same goes for muscle & tissue, ligaments & tedons.

Back then they also knew that trauma to the neck and lower back can not only lead to arthritis but also spinal and cervical stinosis which, as we age, can and likely will cause severe back, neck and shoulder pain.

I am living with that now, at 52, having played the game from the age of 6 until 20. I was told by doctors in my senior year of highschool after spraining my neck by landing on my head trying to jump over a blocker to block a punt, to quit football or face what I am now or worse. I kept on playing until my talent was no longer good enough.

These guys knew, ignored or didn't want to know. The game is that much fun to play.

When you are 20, you feel invincible, and don't care about 30+ years later.

[Spen]

After careful consideration, I think all NFL players should be be given paid health insurance for life. If they want to put a minimum time served on it I wouldn't care as long as it's low.

Now I'll consider the request for sharing of league revenue.

[JPPT1974]

Remember back then at the time some players had to get second jobs as they did not pay millions in the days. Roger Staubach had to do real estate he said in an interview. And he is now worth $600M about.

[papasmurfbell]

Even back then they knew if you break a bone, scar tissue forms, it leaves the joint susceptible to arthritis, crippling as we age. Same goes for muscle & tissue, ligaments & tedons.

Back then they also knew that trauma to the neck and lower back can not only lead to arthritis but also spinal and cervical stinosis which, as we age, can and likely will cause severe back, neck and shoulder pain.

I am living with that now, at 52, having played the game from the age of 6 until 20. I was told by doctors in my senior year of highschool after spraining my neck by landing on my head trying to jump over a blocker to block a punt, to quit football or face what I am now or worse. I kept on playing until my talent was no longer good enough.

These guys knew, ignored or didn't want to know. The game is that much fun to play.

When you are 20, you feel invincible, and don't care about 30+ years later.

Then you are at the age of thefirst guys in FA.  You are not in the area where guys are in their 70s and 80s and they were lied to by the league.  Alos they were working and work place injury laws should have been in effect.