Dave Pear's Blog

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Spencer Kopf put in a full hour interview with Sports Life Radio on Tuesday evening and we have the link to the entire piece (just click on the Red PLAY arrow and the interview will start):
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And once it starts playing, you can turn the volume up using the volume button:
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So here’s Spencer’s interview:
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[audio http://www.hvtalkradio.com/phocadownload/SLR 8-9-11.mp3|bg=0x0000ff|righticon=0xff0000]
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BTW – Robert also did a one-hour interview on last week’s show (and didn’t want to post it up):
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[audio http://www.hvtalkradio.com/phocadownload/SLR 8-2-11.mp3|bg=0x0000ff|righticon=0xff0000]
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With the Hall of Fame ceremonies coming up once again, we have more stories on the lives of retired players that the League and the Union can no longer hide. And who better to let everyone know about what really goes on behind the scenes in the lives of retired players than to hear it from Hall-of-Famer Joe DeLameilleure? Unfortunately, Joe De’s story is more the norm among retired players than current players like Drew Brees would ever care to acknowledge or challenge:
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Most people seem to think that anyone who played in the NFL is wealthy. In today’s world, that’s probably true – but not for the guys who played before 1993. As one of those pre-’93 guys, I feel passionate about improving pensions and benefits for all retired players.
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In the early 90′s, I had the NFLPA check out somebody that I was thinking of doing business with and they endorsed him as a financial advisor. Ultimately, he ended up going to prison for embezzlement. And my family lost almost $300,000. In the years that have passed – by the grace of God – we were able to pull ourselves out of a deep, dark financial home (but that’s another long, terrible story for another day). Like the rest of you, we deal with mortgages, car payments, medical bills and education loans monthly. So far, we’ve been fortunate not to be dealing with any physical disabilities that prevent us from being able to work. We’re fine living in our middle-class neighborhood and driving 5+ year-old vehicles that we’re still making payments on.
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We don’t need – or have:

• $19 million in deferred compensation
• $2+ million in a checking account
• 8 luxury vehicles
• 1 yacht
• 2+ expensive homes.

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December ended up being a crazy busy month for Dave: 2 print interviews and 3 radio interviews so far. Dave’s primary focus has been on getting the word out on disability benefits and pensions, as well as answering some questions on the recent Parrish vs. Players Inc. GLA settlement.

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Jeff Pearlman did a story for Sports Illustrated/CNN on Dave’s personal regrets about having played football. That helped generate over a million hits this month for the blog.
Click HERE to read that article.

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