I signed with two law firms only because the first one never let me know if they had received my paper work after three calls to them and no returned calls 6 months later.

All these firms should do a better job on staying in touch with clients.

Council Rudolph
Houston Oilers, St. Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1972 – 1977

Dave,

With the Bowlen Management (Denver Broncos ownership) challenging their liability to former players before their ownership, I ask what will happen with the concussion lawsuits? If the Federal Courts grant them immunity from liability, what happens to those of us in that time frame?

Maybe Robert can do some leg work. As of today, no response from the Bronco Alumni Association to my requests to discuss this issue. It seems as though our Alumni team does not care for the alum family pre-Bowlen.

Billy Thompson was a teammate and was the overseer of the Denver Alumni group. Where are you, BT?

Pre-Bowlen throwaway player,
Larry Kaminski
Denver Broncos
1966-1973

To Wayne and everyone else anxiously following this last hearing: From what we understand so far, the Judge has now heard the different arguments and is taking some time to review all the details before making her ruling. We’re expecting news from the attorneys as soon as it’s available. Stay tuned!

Hoping an update about the hearing can be provided soon. If this case will go forward, are others being sought to join and if so, how can we get information about doing so?

And though this is the wrong thread, also wishing Dave a speedy recovery from the hip surgery.

Wayne Clark
San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals,
Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs
1970 – 1975

Let’s see: FOUR calls last week and none returned.

2 1/2 months since I sent my first letter back and still have not received my second letter!

Burt Grossman
San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles
1989 -1994

Dave:

I have you on my prayer list. Hang in there. You have more support than you can imagine.

GOD BLESS.

Irv Cross
Philadelphia Eagles & LA Rams
1961 – 1969

Sorry I can’t attend. You have my support.

Hubert Ginn
Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Colts,
Oakland Raiders
1970 – 1978

Getting relief from the pain is great. Rehab is crucial: Get in the water and exercise as soon as the staples are gone. And watch out for infections.

I had both of my hips replaced last year and I feel like a new man! The PA actually helped with some of the costs.

Good Luck
Don Ratliff
Philadelphia Eagles
1975

Gordon & Burt (and everyone else anxiously awaiting your checks) -

I’ve recently been going back and looking at how the Players Inc. settlement was handled by Seattle-based Garden City Group, an independent class action settlement company. The way they managed to adapt to all the various twists-and-turns in the disbursement of those funds to retired players was the model that the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Benefits office could take some serious lessons from.

The checks had to be split into two separate payments (because of the priority given to paying another $16 million+ to the impoverished Upshaw estate), then new orders came down from the judge to do one more attempt to reach all the players listed as plaintiffs, and they were also charged with organizing all the documentation and sending out letters to everyone involved. And let’s also not forget this settlement was not the only contract these people were processing all at the same time nor was it nearly as large as some of the other cases they were handling. And on top of all that, every one of these people managed to answer inquiries and take phone calls POLITELY and EFFICIENTLY with few players ever even having to wait more than 48 hours for a return call.

Somehow I would be willing to wager that Garden City Group handled the disbursement of $21 million more efficiently, faster AND cheaper than what all those well-paid people at the Benefits office have done so far (and in the past!). And keep in mind that these people have direct connections to the powers-that-be within the NFL and the NFLPA so they certainly had a very good idea of what needed to be done not long after the CBA was finalized.

Common sense tells anyone with even half a brain (a concussed brain!) that this whole mess could – and should – have been handled better by an outside contractor. I’d say fire the entire Benefits office staff and hire the Garden City Group. It would a lot cheaper and probably be provide a much better outcome than what all of you have had to endure already. It certainly couldn’t make things any worse – that’s for sure!

Perhaps if their paychecks were held in escrow until every last one of you finally got your benefit checks, things might go faster…

Heck, since the CBA was done, they managed to renewed Roger Goodell’s contract, they gave DeMaurice Smith a $1 million bonus and even Super Bowl has already come and gone.

In all my years of running businesses, I have never seen an organization so out of touch with their constituents/customers: The retired players and their families.

Robert

P.S. – I would think that just this example alone of how egregiously retired players have always been treated should be enough for the Judge to realize that the NFLPA needs to be hauled in front of a jury and held accountable! If for no other reason, you would have thought that some genius at the PA’s offices would have sent down orders to take care of its retirees properly to make their case that they don’t need adult supervision! Oh well…

How do we know anybody works in Benefits? They continue to send form letters 1960′s style. There is no accountability in that office. Who writes their paychecks? Who signs their paychecks? We the players do not sign their paychecks. That I do know. Follow the money trail. Then you will know why they treat the Veteran NFL Football Players like throwaway people. They need to join the green economy and use computers like all other Government Conglomerates.

Gordon Wright