Dave Pear's Blog

Here’s a video clip from the Onion Sports Network (don’t worry – in case you don’t know who they are, the Onion Network is strictly a tongue-in-cheek humor site). Maybe if people could actually experience what a concussion feels like, retired players might finally start getting more attention!

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“In this WEB EXCLUSIVE, SportsTech gets a sneak peek at Madden 12‘s new helmet simulators, which will simulate Sunday’s biggest hits by firing pistons directly into players’ skulls.”

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Click on the picture to watch the clip and you can enlarge to full-screen by clicking the icon in the lower right corner of the video.

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4 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

1. Markus Koch
   February 25th, 2011 at 10:03 am #

   
   Hello all,

   This video, while comic, is THE TRUTH!

   Football in its current form works and is so popular because people (fans) objectify the violence of the play. Hell, we players even objectify our bodies WHILE we play, trading short-term dollars and glory for our long-term health and well-being.

   The interesting thing is that when I watch this video, I see a form of voluntary torture being sold to the participants.

   Markus Koch
   Redskins ’86-’91
   Vice President, Seattle Chapter NFLPA

2. Dave Pear
   February 26th, 2011 at 8:25 am #

   

   ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE:

   Which players’ images did the NFLPA leadership allow EA’s Madden Football to steal this time? They teamed up with EA Sports to swindle retired players out of royalties due them even though these players had signed GLA’s (Group Licensing Agreements). And where’s John Madden these days? We know he has already been paid in excess of $130,000,000 in royalties. Why are you so quiet? Will the real John Madden stand up? Oh, I forgot – you are standing up.

   So here’s something to think about: It’s been two years since retired players won the lawsuit against our own Union. The NFLPA hasn’t sent out any more GLA’s. Yet Madden Football continues to rake in millions with a new edition every year since. Does this mean they no longer continue to use our images and stats in all of their video games? So why is everyone else like John Madden still getting paid then? Maybe next year, they’ll start calling it ‘Joe’ Madden Football just so they won’t have to pay him either? Guess they had to find the money somewhere to pay Gene Upshaw’s widow $16 million (forcing them to pay us in two delayed payments instead).

   Unlike the entertainers who have the privilege of performing for free at half time during the Super Bowl or team doctors who work for free, etc., retired players do expect to be compensated for someone profiting from them. John Madden has profited greatly.

   When will Madden Football and the NFLPA refrain from exploiting retired players? Your actions continue to be despicable in light of the fact that the NFLPA leadership has already been convicted in federal court for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract. (Thank you, attorney Ron Katz.)

   So just where is our Union? That would be you and Gene Upshaw’s gang, De Smith. You’re almost as quiet as John Madden these days.

   Stealing is a crime – unless you’re the NFL or people like John Madden and then they consider it their given birthright. What a bunch of flimflammers.

   Regards,
   Dave & Heidi Pear

3. Steve Baack
   March 3rd, 2011 at 9:14 am #

   

   Dave -

   I read everything you post and continue to be enraged. I know there are plenty of guys worse off than me but that falls into the ‘suck-it-up-and-get-back-out-there’ syndrome that is ingrained in us all. If you can offer some suggestions for those of us who are on board but scattered across the country and feel somewhat cynical, SOME way of bringing more attention to our efforts, I know I would undertake it. Right now, it just feels like little to nothing is happening and it seems as though we should be igniting fires somehow while the CBA has the media attention it does.

   Thanks for everything you do…

   Steve Baack
   Detroit Lions
   1984 – 1989

4. Dave Pear
   March 3rd, 2011 at 11:18 am #

   

   Thanks Steve,

   The questions you ask are exactly much of what we’ll all be covering at our upcoming Conference.

   We’ll be taking a more proactive – and less passive – approach to accomplish real change (not the Wizard of Oz changes offered by the League).

   And you’re absolutely right: We have no doubt that most retired players are sick and tired of the same old lies and stories we’ve been hearing over the years from the League, the Union the Bell/Rozelle Retirement Board. Nobody believes them any more (especially the retired players). We’ve had enough and it’s time we started to do things for ourselves – enough is enough!

   We want real change (NO more duplicity or double-dealing).

   The only real issues for pre-1993 players (and all retired players for that matter) have always been:
   1) Disability reform;
   2) Pensions to at least match Major League Baseball (MLB);
   3) Medical after football.

   Please get this message out to all retired players and encourage them to sign up for the Conference.

   They won’t be disappointed.

   Thanks,
   Dave & Heidi Pear