EDITOR’S NOTE: We just received a copy of another e-mail that was sent out by Jim McFarland, a non-voting member of the NFLPA Former Players Executive Committee. Jim expresses his concerns with key issues that the Union appears to have “negotiated” on behalf of Retired Players (while they were no longer a Union) and he sounds like he’s just as surprised to finally hear about them as the rest of you… His e-mail to NFLPA counsel, Tom Depaso, is added to the bottom of this post. .
And on and on it goes. Dave just received one more enlightening e-mail from NFLPA’s Dave Duerson replacement, Sam McCullum, this morning with more “clarification” on their Coming Soon Improvements to Retired Players Benefits á la NFLPA. Here it is in its unedited form: . continue reading »
A quick update from Shannon Jordan on Gordon and Dora Wright in Florida: . Thank you to Joe Muley, Keith Ledford and Greg Deardorff at Carrier Enterprises for donating the HVAC unit. Thank you to George at Frank Gay Plumbing for installing and thank you to Kevin Worthy on our Gridiron Greats team for getting us in contact with Carrier. We were able to get this new unit for Gordon and Dora in less than a week after waiting for a full year! Attached is a video from Dora Wright getting her unit installed right now.
God Bless you all! . Shannon Jordan
President Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund
(847) 509-3086 office . Dora used her cell phone to show their old air conditioner being removed and the new one being installed by the good folks at Frank Gay Plumbing from Orlando. We wish it was this easy to change things out at the NFL and the NFLPA! .
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: . 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. .
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. .
We don’t need – or have:
To Any And Everyone Who Cares About NFL Players Who Built The AFL/NFL . My name is Glendora Wright and I am the Primary Caregiver of Gordon Arnold Wright. In March 2005, Gordon started to lose his memory. He had a brain scan and the Neurologist said he had visible evidence of scar tissue in the Brain and that there were four distinct areas where there was bleeding and then healing. I informed him that Gordon had been in the NFL as an Offensive Guard from 1967 through 1971 in the capacity as a National Football Player. The Neurologist told me that Gordon needed treatment at that time and that I should apply for Total Disability! .
The Hospital released Gordon Arnold Wright into my care with medical documentation saying he was Totally Disabled. I then spent a solid year caring for Gordon with no financial support from anyone. I was told I had to wait 24 months to receive Medicare on his behalf. I applied for Social Security and was denied because Gordon had worked for the United States Railroad for eleven years of his work life. The Railroad gave Gordon his full disability one year after I applied and took Gordon to all the Doctor Appointments they scheduled for Him. I applied with the NFL to help Gordon and I have been denied in every application for a vested Pension & Disability from 2005 through 2010. I put in an application on his behalf every year and I was denied every time. .
I am 52 years old and Gordon is 67 years old. I am tired and worn out trying to care for Gordon by myself. .
I have not had a vacation in 10 Years because I cannot leave Gordon alone.
He asks me the same question three times in less than 30 minutes.
If you tell him to repeat what you say to him he cannot do it.
If he puts a book down he cannot remember where he left it.
He has started to get verbally abusive because he misplaces things and accuses me of doing it.
I Love Gordon and I would not do anything to hurt him!
I bathe him. I braid his Hair. I help him get dressed. I give him manicures and pedicures. I massage him every day because he is in physical pain constantly. Every three hours he asks for pain medicine. I feed him mostly soups in order for his bowels to move. The pain medications slow his digestive system so he has to take laxatives three times per day.
We’re posting the entire press release from Mike Ditka’s GridIron Greats that was put out to general release this morning. Gridiron Greats, in conjunction with OAA Orthopedic Specialists of Allentown, PA, have put together a new medical assistance program for retired, injured NFL players. Several players have already been flown in for evaluation and care through the assistance program which has been open for approximately two months already. And unlike the NFLPA’s so-called joint-replacement program that only covers hips, shoulders and knees, this program isn’t selective. What NFL player DOESN’T have neck and back problems? And concussions? (Read Tony Davis’ earlier comments about the NFLPA’s program by clicking HERE.)
Even more amazing is the fact that 50 players have already been flown in for this program and you have to wonder if the NFLPA’s current program – which is about to close at the end of July – has even seen 50 applications, let alone approved 50 players for benefits? And we wonder how Upshaw and the NFLPA are going to malign Mike Ditka and Gridiron Greats this time for doing something that they themselves should have done years ago.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We just received a copy of another e-mail that was sent out by Jim McFarland, a non-voting member of the NFLPA Former Players Executive Committee. Jim expresses his concerns with key issues that the Union appears to have “negotiated” on behalf of Retired Players (while they were no longer a Union) and he sounds like he’s just as surprised to finally hear about them as the rest of you… His e-mail to NFLPA counsel, Tom Depaso, is added to the bottom of this post.
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.
My name is Glendora Wright and I am the Primary Caregiver of Gordon Arnold Wright. In March 2005, Gordon started to lose his memory. He had a brain scan and the Neurologist said he had visible evidence of scar tissue in the Brain and that there were four distinct areas where there was bleeding and then healing. I informed him that Gordon had been in the NFL as an Offensive Guard from 1967 through 1971 in the capacity as a National Football Player. The Neurologist told me that Gordon needed treatment at that time and that I should apply for Total Disability!