I find this new program to be very interesting. I was told two years ago by a spinal specialist that my back is a mess and the reason for pain and lack o mobility. The SSA doctors concurred and I was put on SSDI. I sent my paperwork into the NFL when the window opened to reapply for NFL Disability. I received a note a few weeks after the paperwork was sent that the review board denied my request because I did not meet their criteria for disability.

My question is this: If the new spinal program actually proves that my claim was not fraudulent and that I am considered disabled, what will the NFL review board do with the results?

The bottom line is WHO ARE THESE GUYS?

Keep up the great work and efforts to keep us informed.

Last question: Why can’t we all unite under the NFL alumni logo with Bernie Parrish as the head man to fight together for these rights? I thought that was the point of the IRP meet in Las Vegas?

Thanks for the time,
Larry Kaminski
Denver broncos
1966-1973

Gary Larsen
1964 – 1974
Rams & Vikings
Purple People Eater

This is more whitewash, snow job and a PR stunt for Congress!

I was in Washington DC when Gene Upshaw and Roger Goodell promised Senator Kerry and Senator Dorgan in June of 2007 that they would fix the benefit programs for retired players.

However, the very next week they came out with the Alliance along with the white paper and the truth squad. The NFLPA Leadership claimed the truth squad was going to prove the NFLPA was right and the retired players were wrong. Also, the white paper was going to print and make public their findings. However, the white paper violated HIPAA law by posting the medical information of 10 retired players on a public web site without our permission and the truth squad disappeared.

However, 3 weeks after these Washington DC meetings with Congress, Mike Ditka called a press conference in Chicago at his restaurant and Mike stood up and told the press, “Gene Upshaw and Roger Goodell Lied to Congress!!!” They promised to fix the problems and do something different.

They did just the opposite of what they promised to do. The truth squad is gone and who knows what happened to the White Paper? In fact, the Players Inc. trial proved that retired players are right and the NFLPA Leadership is wrong!

Now, we have another new program called, the Spinal Program for Players? You can add this to the other programs already in place such as:

1) Medicare Supplement Benefit;
2) Joint replacement;
3) Prescription Drug card;
4) family exercise (The Poor Man’s Plastic surgery);
5) and now the Spinal Program.

They are ALL virtually worthless or nonexistent! The reason I know is I have tried to access them and use them. There’s very little there and are waste of time. I would be happy to sit down and share the facts with you. I am embarrassed for the NFL. If you think Congress is going to fall for this nonsense please allow me to share my findings.

I strongly encourage DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell to use these programs for themselves. What would your wife say if you came home and told her this is your new medical, prescription and family exercise benefits? She would most likely think you are suffering from head injuries or a concussion. (oh, I forgot the NFL is doing another study on concussions because they are not sure if there is even a problem). Yeah, right!

These newly-created programs must be some of the dog food that Gene Upshaw was referring to in the Players Inc. trial when he spoke about retired players.

Regards,
Dave & Heidi Pear

Currently, there are greater issues that players, active and retired, should be concerned about in the short run. The most prevalent is the plan underfunding and potential for plan takeover by the federal government! If there’s no funding for programs, then there’s no funding for the various retirement and disability plans. Think about this: No one thought that US Steel or Pan Am would go under; yet, the union and employees went through a plan takeover. Be concerned.

For more information about the retirement and disability issues along with the beginning steps of change, go to:

http://hwassociates.blogspot.com/

Helen Horvath

You are confusing the issues, and trying to twist the facts to suit your purposes. No one at Fourth and Goal is indicating in any way, shape or form that this program is a substitute for disability and pension reform. (See my previous post.)

Perhaps the biggest things holding back the advancement of retired players’ issues is the dissemination of fiction for fact; anger for constructive solutions; and personal attacks among and between advocates who all have the same goals.

John Hogan
(A Proud Fourth & Goal Board member)

So New Fourth and Alumni, this is who you have signed on with now, huh?

Bob Grant
Player Advocate

John Hogan
Disability Attorney

Frank Middleton
1985 – 1987
Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers

Retired players need comparable pension as basball’s & a real disability program. As for the settlement of the NFLPA’s appeal to the tune of $26.2 million, what happened to the total amount of $28.1 million? And… Why give them 2 years to pay out this paltry sum of 26.2 million. These people are criminals and should and need to be prosecuted!

Walt Roberts
Cleveland Browns
64′ NFL Champions