The Three-Week GLA Trial in 15 Minutes
HBO Real Sports ran its Disunity episode on the retired players GLA trial last night. In under 15 minutes, they managed to present the major highlights of the entire 3-week trial, covering the points and counterpoints between the retired players and the NFLPA/Players Inc. and how the trial was won.
Joe DeLamielleure, Bruce Laird and Herb Adderley on HBO Real Sports
Joe DeLamielleure, Bruce Laird, Herb Adderley and Dave were interviewed as plaintiffs and the players’ attorneys from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips as well as the NFLPA attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, were each given time to explain their positions. Just like in the trial, the defining moment came when they showed Herb Adderley sitting on his couch with Frank Deford to show him some player’s pages on Electronic Arts’ Madden Football video game. There on the screen was a virtual NFL player that didn’t have his name or his number but his stats were exactly the same as Herb’s (and that virtual player was black). Then they showed a generic white player who also didn’t have Dave’s name and number but with his exact stats. Then they showed the letter from the NFLPA’s own licensing director instructing EA to make sure they altered any reference to all actual players to avoid payment of royalties. (As usual, the NFLPA’s overpaid mouthpiece Kessler still had the nerve to try spinning his worn-out ‘We-were-only-trying-to-protect-the-retired-players-from-being-ripped-off routine.’)They even had references to the departed Gene Upshaw’s Dog Food comment (read Judge Alsup’s own comments by clicking HERE).
Gene Upshaw selling Dog Food on HBO Real Sports
This was pretty much the way it was all presented in court, so it’s easy to see why the retired players won an overwhelming decision, complete with Judge Alsup’s final opinion as icing on the cake.
The show’s going to be replayed several times this month. (Check their schedule by clicking HERE).
Sharon Hawkins for Wayne
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:17 PM #
Dave,
We forgot to watch this, so thanks for putting the schedule on your blog.
Will watch it when replayed, as I see there will be several replays coming up on HBO Real Sports.
Are you receiving comments across the board yet from those who saw it?
What is your take on the success of the show?
Sharon Hawkins on behalf of Wayne
Don Herrmann
January 24th, 2009 at 1:19 PM #
Dear Dave,
Thank you so much for the work you’ve done on the behalf of the retired players. I appreciate your emails and updates – I have a new email address.
Thanks again, Dave
Don Herrmann
NY Giants ’69-’75
NO Saints ’75-’77
Brandon Curtis
January 24th, 2009 at 4:05 PM #
Dear Dave,
I recently saw the REAL SPORTS episode. While I must admit I did not know who you were until now (the only Raiders I know of are the ones on the NFL Films’ highlight reels constantly played on NFL Network and ESPN – LaMonica, Stabler, Biletnikof, etc).
Your story was yet another reminder of the bitter fight between the NFLPA/NFL and the retired players.
While some have argued that the players made the choice to play football, that is not the issue. The issue is that there was supposed to be a systematic agreement to provide for the players after they had retired.
Furthermore, in your case, I would like to ask: Have you asked your legal representatives about a potential action against the Raiders organization; and Al Davis and Tom Flores individually? After all, the team doctors – acting on their orders – misrepresented the magnitude of your neck and spinal injuries which could have caused either permanent paralysis at the quadriplegic level or death.
Furthermore, the fact that even after that Super Bowl you were cut, with no offers of an opportunity to remain with the team as a coach, executive or consultant adds insult to injury. The man you sacked in Super Bowl XV went on to be an ESPN analyst and now a Monday Night Football analyst.
I believe the NFL and the Raiders owe Dave Pear a lump sum settlement in the millions.
I believe the ultimate justice would be to give either yourself or the other retirees who were featured on the same REAL SPORTS episode a shot at running the NFLPA or at least some type of management or advisory position within the union.
Stay strong!
Brandon Curtis
Leonard Gotshalk
March 31st, 2009 at 8:50 AM #
Thanks for fighting the fight. I still remember the fight we had in the ’70s with the class action cases and it paved the way for players’ rights and freedoms. I met with Gene Upshaw at Berkeley for a Falcons game in the mid-70s and it was a real struggle to picket and to get players to understand what was at stake. Funny how people and positions change.
Leonard Gotshalk
Atlanta Falcons 1972 – 1976