I have learned that simply telling the truth in legal forums is not enough when dealing with dishonest people. They must be exposed. Public policy does not condone uncivilized behavior towards others to thrive. There are still avenues to pursue on Capitol Hill and federal government agencies. These people cannot be allowed to set standards at the lowest denominator.

I have spent twenty years of time and money on attorneys trying to correct abuse and injustice. I have endured 4 disciplinary actions, 6 grievance hearings, at least thrice (3 times) sued by the NFLPA, 2 arbitrations, 5 mediations, 1 court trial (EEOC), 1 reduction in force, 2 firings, 2 DC government hearings, 2 EEOC complaints, 2 NLRB complaints, faced at least 4 judges and approximately 4-6 court of appeals that had 3 judge panels. And I still have one (1) pending lawsuit in US District Court, District of Columbia. The NFLPA refused to honor arbitration and court decisions. Their latest decision was to stall the judicial process and resort to lies and innuendo instead.

Is this what professional football in the workplace, and post career, is all about? Personal fouls, unnecessary roughness, and unsportsmanlike conduct?

I won all of the battles but not the War. There is no oversight and no Geneva convention. And, the NFLPA has adopted an IGNORE mode of operating. Delay, deny and HELP you die. This must be challenged and changed. This is the same treatment that the NFL Retired Players have been subjected to. Thank God that we now have a different means in which we communicate and expose wrongdoing – Blogs, e-mails, Summits, and support groups.

We have new leadership since 2009… what say you both, De Smith, and George M? I deserve a thorough review and correction of the dastardly deeds that have been bestowed on me. Or, perhaps the right word is – clemency.

Thank you all, especially Dave, Bob Grant, RobertInSeattle, Robert Giblin, George Visger, Jane Arnett and Larry Campbell for your positive posted comments. Your concern and the concern of others who have contacted me with their support and love means the world to me. Also, Thanks to all of the positive remarks from my associates and friends on Facebook.

By the way, regarding clemency? I am not an offender, as proven by the administrative and judicial court systems, but, according to NFLPA management and its legal representative – I am classified as an Enemy and they have no legal right or basis to be judge, jury and prosecutors.

Valerie Thomas
Independent NFL Retired Players Advocate & Activist
Former NFLPA Research Analyst and Paralegal

Larry Campbell

I am blessed to have a mother who is the perhaps the strongest, most intelligent woman I’ve ever known. As a teenager of German descent, she survived the starvation/murder of 3 million people in the Ukraine. Her “hated German” family escaped to Germany just a couple of years before the Nazi government entered into war with Russia. In Germany, she was once again a member of a “hated” group since she was from Russian territory! As a Red Cross worker, she was the expendable one and sent to some of the worst battles of WWII. She talks about having no medical supplies and only being able to run from man to man to hold their hands as they died. She’s spent time as a prisoner in camps with experiences we don’t share publicly. After the war, she and my father came to the US, working 16 hour days to build a life and be a part of a country that offered safety, freedom and dignity. I grew up being from a family with accents and a “different” ways of doing things …worse yet, looked upon as “damn Germans”. We lived the life we believed was what this country offered, always giving respect and care even as we worked to advance ourselves. To this day, my mother is still concerned for everyone else and at 90 still cooks and sends food for those having difficult times.

Every time I hear your story, it evokes some of the same feelings I have when I think about my mother’s amazing strength in the face of injustice and suffering. The injustice you have lived with and your intelligent determination to overcome is inspirational. Obviously, this journey of yours is not over, but through it please know that there are many out here who are better as a result of the efforts you are taking. Your battle is not much different than the one that retirees are involved in and hopefully we can all lift one another. I’m proud to know yet another person who is persistent in the battle against abuse and injustice.

Jane Arnett
Independent Retired Players Advocate
Co-Chair 2010 Independent Retired Football Players Summit

I would like to say I’m shocked by the treatment you received from the NFLPA – particularly Gene Upshaw’s slimy group – but unfortunately, I am not.

When they let greats like Mike Webster die homeless in his car because he was unable to take care of himself while he had a family who loved him living in town and the NFL denied him benefits, I am no longer shocked.

When the NFL intentionally covered up, discredited and lied about Dr. Bennett Omalu’s studies on the brains of 18 deceased NFL players for nearly 8 years while scores (if not hundreds) of ex-players died unnecessarily horrible deaths, I am no longer shocked.

When players such as Dave Pear, who has endured over a dozen football-related surgeries and can barely walk and is then offered a $360/month pension, I am no longer shocked.

When players such as Bernie Parrish have been fighting the NFL for nearly 50 years, I am no longer shocked.

What I AM is mad as hell and I say it’s time we circle the wagons, pool our strengths and absolutely kick some tails ’til justice is served.

You, Bob Grant, Bernie Parrish, Dave Pear and all the others who have fought this battle for so long have all my respect. Hang in there and never give up. These people who make their living from the misery of others will get theirs. Believe me, they don’t have the spine nor the stomach to finish this fight.

” What Goes Around Comes Around.”

All my respect and I offer whatever I can do.

George Visger
San Francisco 49′ers 1980 & 1981
Survivor of 9 football related brain surgeries
Successful winner of Work Comp case vs 49′ers in 1986

This is shocking! I hope you have an attorney who does not want to be an NFL owners’ guy.

Robert Giblin
New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals
1975, 1977

It always makes one wonder what else lurks underneath the surface that most active and retired players never hear about (along with the general public as well as Congressional leaders!). Now I’m REALLY beginning to wonder about that mysterious fire in De Smith’s office as he was returning from one of his first road trips. And how about the $12,000+ of file shredding they revealed in their LM-2 a couple of years back?

Gee, as good a job as they did with Tiger Woods and John Edwards, maybe we should just let the National Enquirer have at it so we can save everyone a lot of time and money in getting to the real story here. These kinds of amateurish shenanigans should never happen in any organization let alone in a megamillion dollar enterprise. I can only hope that Smith uses his white collar criminal experience for the greater good. We’re all still waiting for a perp walk out the front door of Upshaw Place – what an ironic legacy THAT would be!

What most Retired Players don’t know is that during the many years that you’ve been fighting for yourself, you have also been playing a tremendous role in helping to advance the cause of all Retired Players. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

I think that we will name a floor after you if we’re ever able to name a building after Bernie Parrish since the NFLPA Building was recently named after Upshaw.

I have a few questions for you:

1. How have actions taken against you affected your pension;
2. How has your defending yourself against the NFLPA affected
you in your ability to secure employment in the years since
they started forcing you out?
3. Did you sign one of those nondisclosure agreements that Mary,
Gene, Dick and George tried to force you and all of the other
employees to sign, as Mary and her Lawyers have now got the
Judge in her pending case to declare “Overreaching?”
(How can Mary now say that an agreement that she tried
to force you to sign is pretty much illegal now?
4. Did Gene, Richard, Doug Allen or any of their associates ever
try to intimidate or frighten you after your short return?

Bernie has been fighting this battle for over fifty years now and we all appreciate and love him for standing up for us when many of us could not stand up for ourselves. You have been fighting for yourself – and all of us as well – against an organization and system that has not always been fair to us either. Thank You. And I hope that you will find time to answer my questions here on DavePear.com

Most Sincerely,
Bob Grant
Independent Activist/Advocate
Parrish Team Member

We’re so sorry to hear about the harsh and unfair treatment you and your family have and continue to receive from the NFLPA Leadership.

There should be accountability from our Union.

Please continue to fight the battle for justice and we will do ALL we can to expose this horrible treatment you’ve been force to endure for such a long time!

Sincerely,
Dave & Heidi Pear