Earlier this month, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D- CA) wrote a very clear letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about that legacy fund for disabled and retired players. Of course, if it’s going to be a fair deal, it has to be based on real numbers. But isn’t simply allowing the NFL and its owners pick a number to put on the table like letting a convicted criminal pick his own sentence? Or how about like letting Bernie Madoff tell the Feds how much he stole so he can tell them how much he’s going to pay back to his victims? Her letter makes a clear request for real, audited numbers.
.
Click on the thumbnail images to enlarge for reading.
I applaud you for your support in our effort to find justice and benefits for critically injured retired NFL players.
…
I grew up in Stockton, CA and played for Bob Mattos at Stagg High in 1974 and 1975 before attending the University of Colorado on a football scholarship where I majored in Fisheries Biology. The NY Jets drafted me in the 6th round of the 1980 draft in April (I had not completed my degree yet, as 90% of the players drafted probably haven’t), and the Defensive line coach convinced me at minicamp the next day that if I used steroids to put on 20 – 25 lbs of muscle before camp (July), there was a spot for me on the team. Keep in mind, I started 3 years at Colorado and weighed 259 pounds at the time which was average for a defensive lineman. I was also bench pressing 430 which was as good as any of the rookies and free agents they had signed.
More good news – and a little fun – to exercise your brain as the end of the year approaches.
…
Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) has called another Congressional hearing on concussions set for Jan. 4, 2010 in Detroit. We understand that the NFLPA’s DeMaurice Smith is scheduled to appear and apparently even the NFL’s Dr. No – Ira Casson – is on the schdule to appear. Rep. Conyers is from Michigan and this hearing will be held at the Wayne State University School of Medicine while Congress is not in session. There seems to be more focus on college and high school concussions with this hearing; the NCAA’s director of health and safety, David Klossner, and Dr. Bennett Omalu and Chris Nowinski are also slated to appear.
…
The hearing was scheduled just as the NFL announced that they were closing down their current concussion studies. Our favorite quote was from Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D- CA): “Hey, why don’t we let tobacco companies determine whether smoking is bad for your health or not?”
Don’t let anyone fool you. Some of the toughest players in the retirees’ struggle with the NFL… are the ladies. No one needs to tell football players or their families about pride, determination, intelligence, grit and the heart it takes to engage in battle. Recently in Washington DC, it became openly clear that women are fearlessly standing up for what is right, breaking through the barriers to take care of the business of football and it’s impact on the lives of our men and our families.
Congresswoman Linda Sanchez took 10 minutes to do a serious beat down of Commissioner Roger Goodell in the Congressional Hearings on brain injuries. You can watch her clip below but first we want to take a moment to introduce the new James Bond Dr. No: Ira Casson (we no longer want to call this idiot ‘Doctor’ as he doesn’t merit the respect of his fellow human beings) heads the NFL MTBI Committee that conducts those endless inconclusive studies on traumatic brain injuries for the NFL. This jerk shall henceforth be known as The New Dr. No. Every answer Casson gives in the following clip from Bernard Goldberg’s interview from last May’s HBO Real Sports is an arrogant, “No!” (with a sneer). And it looks like he was also a NO-show at the Congressional hearings as well, much to the Commissioner’s surprise (!).Here’s to Dr. No!<sneer> AAA
AAA
And here are Rep. Sanchez’ questions and comments: AAA
The following statements made in the Congressional Report are totally unacceptable! The NFLPA and the NFL have an agreement in the CBA to determine the Total Projected Benefits for active and retired players on an Annual basis. This information should be readily available to the Congress. I have also requested it from the NFLPA Benefits Director and have received no response. (The bold and underlined sections are added by me for emphasis!)
In the Congressional Report it states:
[For the new 88 Plan, the consultants estimated an initial contribution of $1.88 million, all to benefit retired players. The method or methods used to determine how much money to allocate to this and other benefits is unknown.]
This statement is unbelievable! The NFL and the NFLPA are required by the CBA to determine the Projected Benefits every year! Here is the actual wording. “Benefits for a League Year will be determined by adding together all payments made and amounts properly accrued by or on behalf of the NFL and all NFL Clubs during that League Year… “Benefits” and “Player Benefit Costs” mean the aggregate for a League Year of all sums paid (or to be paid on a proper accrual basis for a League Year) by the NFL and all NFL Teams for, to, or on behalf of present or former NFL players.”
Here’s the Congressional press release in its entirety. You can also download the entire 145 (!) page report (clickHERE). Keep in mind this is only the beginning but it’s a good start. More questions will come out of this inquiry and hopefully even more facts along with some adult supervision at long last!
A press release through Associated press (clickHERE) quotes Rep. Conyers: “I commend the NFL and NFLPA for having taken some affirmative steps since our last hearing, but in my view they still fall short of the goal line,” Conyers said in a news release. “This report identifies major concerns about the long-term health of NFL players that demand further attention. The committee intends to hold hearings and explore possible legislation to address this matter.“
Of course, Gene Upshaw says he’s “in the process of reviewing the report” while the NFL is slapping itself on the back for all the fantastic work they’ve done recently to “address these issues.”
We wonder if Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Mob Boss Gene Upshaw plan on making more contributions to our Congressmen and Senators soon?
Congressional Report Identifies Serious Health Concerns Not Addressed by NFL and Players Union
Dear Congresswoman Sanchez:
More good news – and a little fun – to exercise your brain as the end of the year approaches.
