I have been trying to obtain a complete set of original plan documents for over 4 months and I have not been successful. So far (The Groom Law Group) and (Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld) have sent me the following plan documents (see attachment). The problem is they are different and none are the originals as I have requested. In fact, (The Groom Law Group) sent 2 different 1976 plans and (Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld) sent 1 1976 plan but all 3 are different!
If any of you had even thought remotely that the NFL and the NFLPA is actually run like a real-world business, a new piece by Daniel Kaplan in Sports Business Journal should dispel any of those notions once and for all. After Gene Upshaw’s compensation last year was revealed to be over $6 million (including “bonuses”), newly disclosed tax returns from the league revealed that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell received $6.5 million for his 7 months of work last year. That translates into a whopping $11.2 million annual salary for the new commissioner. I’m not sure what you have to do to earn almost $1 million a month in salary but a lot of us can list a lot of things he’s not doing. Read Daniel Kaplan’s article HERE.
I’m getting more and more e-mails like this from old fans near and far. Thanks to each and every one of you for your good thoughts to Heidi and me!
Sir,
Thank you for including me in this e-mail. If the average fan could see how the league treats its former players there would be a backlash, thelikes that they have never seen.
This is an outrage that you have to fight for what any reasonable person can observe is your legal compensation for your service in the NFL. If there is anything I can do to assist you in this endeavor, please let me know. I live in Northern Virginia so if you needed my assistance, for whatever reason with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, just ask.
Here’s the full 1 hour and 14 minute video from September 2007 with Mike Ditka. From the posting itself:
“Twelve ex-National Football League (NFL) players participated in a press conference, on September 18, 2007, at the 101 Lounge, near Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. The session was sponsored by the “Gridiron Greats.” The players, led by the legendary Mike Ditka, ex-Chicago Bears’ tight end and coach, are outraged over what they perceive as the gross inadequacy, the unfair maintenance and the mean-spirited manner in which the retirement, health insurance, and disability plan/system, established by the NFL, supposedly, on their behalf, is set up and administered. Heard and seen on the video, but not necessarily in the order of their appearance, besides coach Ditka, are: Delvin Williams, Dwight Harrison, Dave Pear, Conrad Dobler, Gale Sayers, Eugene “Mercury” Morris, Daryl “Moose” Johnston, Mike Pyle, Sam Huff, Brent Boyd and Walter Beach.”
NPR interviewed Michael Leahy right after his piece came out in the Sunday Washington Post, The Pain Game, previously posted on this blog. From NPR’s site:
“Dozens of former pro football players say the NFL and the NFL players union should do more to help with pension and disability payments after their years of playing through pain and injury. Michael Leahy of the Washington Post tells the story of retired Super Bowl champion Dave Pear, who is disabled.”
By DANIEL KAPLAN Staff writer – Sports Business Journal
Published February 18, 2008 : Page 01
Compensation at the NFL Players Association rose 58 percent in the 2007 fiscal year to more than $17 million, the group’s most recent tax return shows.
Some of that increase includes the previously disclosed doubling of Executive Director Gene Upshaw’s take, but pay to the union’s 93 other mployees during that year rose 41 percent as well, according to the return.
Please open (attached) and scroll down to the last paragraph. I will quote the wording, ” If you would like to review the official Retirement Plan document, please contact the Plan Administrative office at the above address.” When I follow these instructions I am told, “Contact The Groom Law Group”.
Question? Is The Groom Law Group now the Plan Administrator?
(Re-printed in its entirety with permission to Dave from Charlie McElheney)
I had the opportunity and privilege to participate with the Gridiron Greats in their events recently in Arizona. I fully support this heart felt fund for retired NFL players, all including yourself Mr. Upshaw who inspired me throughout my childhood and my football years as a young man. This game of football taught me valuable lessons that prepared me for adulthood.
The greatest lesson of “TEAM” all working together to achieve one or more goal(s), responsibilities making the play, depending on each individual to execute their assignments, to play by the rules, to protect/respect each other on and off the field, and to be their for each other in time of need. It brings to mind the word “FAMILY” and those lessons learned apply in each of our daily life’s.
7th Request: Gene Upshaw, “I have never turned my back on a retired player.” Please contact me.
Feb. 12, 2008
Dear Gene,
Would you kindly contact me so we can discuss the following:
1) Wash Post magazine article on Super Bowl Sunday 2/3/08 (The Pain Game)
2) Mishandling of my 1983 line of duty disability; (LOD)
3) Mishandling of my 1995 total and permanent disability; (T&P)
4) Early Retirement or Early Payment Benefit
When you call, please have a copy of the Bert Bell Plan document
so we can discuss the following:
Gene Upshaw: “Once he took that pension, that was it. He can’t get a disability (benefit). That’s not only the rule of the retirement plan — it’s the law.” .
Michael Leahy from the Washington Post: I ask if he is certain of that. .
Gene Upshaw: “Yes,” he answers. “It’s not just the NFL; it’s the law.” .
But it’s not the law, says the attorney Upshaw himself retained. Lanny Davis, in a separate interview, says the NFL could grant both a pension and a right to a disability payment. “It’s discretionary,” Davis says, “which is the way it is with most corporations.” . Link to the Washington Post articleHERE. .
If any of you had even thought remotely that the NFL and the NFLPA is actually run like a real-world business, a new piece by Daniel Kaplan in Sports Business Journal should dispel any of those notions once and for all. After Gene Upshaw’s compensation last year was revealed to be over $6 million (including “bonuses”), newly disclosed tax returns from the league revealed that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell received $6.5 million for his 7 months of work last year. That translates into a whopping $11.2 million annual salary for the new commissioner. I’m not sure what you have to do to earn almost $1 million a month in salary but a lot of us can list a lot of things he’s not doing. Read Daniel Kaplan’s article 
