Comments on: An Open Letter from George Visger http://davepear.com/blog/2009/11/open-letter-from-george-visger/ • the unofficial blog for independent football veterans • Sun, 20 May 2012 14:11:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Pete Lund http://davepear.com/blog/2009/11/open-letter-from-george-visger/comment-page-1/#comment-22761 Pete Lund Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:05:52 +0000 http://davepear.com/blog/?p=4358#comment-22761 George, I remember watching you and a lot of guys in the late 70's early eighties. (I am from MN, guess which team has broken my heart lately?) I just read an article about you and I want to do more to help publicly shame the NFL... it's kind of like the music industry with their artists and how nobody gets anything after they have been through the mill. All for "our" entertainment. I think of football players as the modern day Gladiators, but I would hope this civilization does not allow its Gladiators the same fate. Pete Lund George,

I remember watching you and a lot of guys in the late 70′s early eighties. (I am from MN, guess which team has broken my heart lately?)

I just read an article about you and I want to do more to help publicly shame the NFL… it’s kind of like the music industry with their artists and how nobody gets anything after they have been through the mill. All for “our” entertainment. I think of football players as the modern day Gladiators, but I would hope this civilization does not allow its Gladiators the same fate.

Pete Lund

]]> By: Greg Howard http://davepear.com/blog/2009/11/open-letter-from-george-visger/comment-page-1/#comment-21887 Greg Howard Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:17:14 +0000 http://davepear.com/blog/?p=4358#comment-21887 Reading George's letter has opened my eyes even further regarding the dark side of the business of professional football. These companies are just that: Privately-held businesses that answer only to themselves, and yet market the pretense that they somehow "belong" to the people of the city they may have their headquarters in for that season. It's false, and how they treat former players is the undeniable evidence of that. I played alongside George at Colorado. He was a joy to be around, a leader, full of life, and a very hard worker. And though I haven't seen him in many years, I'll bet he is still all of those things. His personal fight that has been going on for so long inspires me, and confirms my thoughts about the sport that have been brewing for some time now -- that is, I have 3 very active and athletic boys in my home and I am not encouraging any of them to take their football game to the next level (college). There are many other sports available today that can offer just as much thrill of the game, and that still have exciting levels of physicality, to make it fun. And then, when they are in their sunset years, they can still enjoy a full life. Recalling the times I've been knocked out on the field, that is my hope for me as well. Thanks, George. God is still using you. Take care. Greg Howard Reading George’s letter has opened my eyes even further regarding the dark side of the business of professional football. These companies are just that: Privately-held businesses that answer only to themselves, and yet market the pretense that they somehow “belong” to the people of the city they may have their headquarters in for that season. It’s false, and how they treat former players is the undeniable evidence of that.

I played alongside George at Colorado. He was a joy to be around, a leader, full of life, and a very hard worker. And though I haven’t seen him in many years, I’ll bet he is still all of those things. His personal fight that has been going on for so long inspires me, and confirms my thoughts about the sport that have been brewing for some time now — that is, I have 3 very active and athletic boys in my home and I am not encouraging any of them to take their football game to the next level (college). There are many other sports available today that can offer just as much thrill of the game, and that still have exciting levels of physicality, to make it fun. And then, when they are in their sunset years, they can still enjoy a full life.

Recalling the times I’ve been knocked out on the field, that is my hope for me as well.

Thanks, George. God is still using you. Take care.

Greg Howard

]]> By: Dave Pear http://davepear.com/blog/2009/11/open-letter-from-george-visger/comment-page-1/#comment-21771 Dave Pear Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:40:17 +0000 http://davepear.com/blog/?p=4358#comment-21771 <img src="http://davepear.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/superbowlsack1-237x300.jpg" alt="Dave Pear" /> Thank you, George, for your very insightful letter! I would like to hear where Commissioner Goodell and De Smith stand on pension/disability reform and medical care after football. The retired players who are the makers of the game have been left in a lurch (a vulnerable and unsupported position) with no one representing them and the active players who are the keepers of the game today will soon be retired players with a Union that won't represent them. A Union is suppose to stand up for the rights of their current and the RETIRED members. Retired players have been patient but there's been NO real change yet. Someone must stand up for the rights of <strong>RETIRED</strong> players! When will this happen? Sincerely, Dave & Heidi Pear Dave Pear
Thank you, George, for your very insightful letter!

I would like to hear where Commissioner Goodell and De Smith stand on pension/disability reform and medical care after football.

The retired players who are the makers of the game have been left in a lurch (a vulnerable and unsupported position) with no one representing them and the active players who are the keepers of the game today will soon be retired players with a Union that won’t represent them.

A Union is suppose to stand up for the rights of their current and the RETIRED members. Retired players have been patient but there’s been NO real change yet.

Someone must stand up for the rights of RETIRED players!

When will this happen?

Sincerely,
Dave & Heidi Pear

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