For several months I have intentionally chosen to stay on the sidelines and withhold any public comments on Retired Player issues. During that time I’ve had the opportunity to interact with many current and former players discussing a wide range of concerns affecting them. I’ve read the various emails and blog postings that many of you have seen on the internet on a daily basis. In those months I’ve received numerous emails from former players around the country expressing their desire to get involved in the issues all Retired Players are dealing with.
For more than 2 years I have expressed my opinion that all Retired Players should be housed under one roof. Even through my involvement with the Alliance, I maintained the need for Retired Players to have our own entity with elected individuals who would be accountable to those they represent. I was characterized by some as being a “Sheep” for even being a part of that group. I make no apologize to anyone for accepting an invitation to affect some kind of change for Retired Players. What would have been a bigger insult to Retirees is if I had declined the Alliance invitation altogether after asking the League and the NFLPA to do better for those who made the league what it is at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2006.
It should come as no surprise that I continue to feel very strongly in favor of all Retired Players being housed under the roof of the NFL Alumni. To even think that we can exist within the NFL Players Association is unrealistic. The previous leadership of the NFLPA failed to adequately represent the issues of Retired Players. The Mike Webster case against the NFL and the EA Sports judgment against the Players Association are the latest and most obvious reasons the relationship is dead. The current players have made a choice of a leader to take them forward for years to come. I do not know Mr. Smith but I wish him the very best as he leads those who selected him. For the Retirees and our families we had no vote and we had no input in the process. That warrants a clear reason that the Retired Players need our own organization with leadership that will act solely on our behalf.
God bless the groups that have been created over the past couple of years to assist former players in need. They have done an admirable job. Unfortunately, the needs and concerns of Retirees are many and cannot be supported entirely by groups like the Gridiron Greats, Fourth and Goal, etc. Those groups can only be a band-aid in helping Players. It will take institutional changes across the board to fulfill the true needs of Retirees. As a solid and strong organization where all Retired Players can be accounted for with representation elected by Retired Players we will earn a right to sit at the table to represent the more than 10,000 former players and their families around the country. Our representative in that seat should be able to carve out a percentage of the NFL/NFLPA income making it unnecessary in the future to go to the current players with our hats in our hands for increased pensions and disability benefits.
For those who ask why the NFL Alumni? There are many reasons why but the primary reason is because the NFL Alumni already has access to the NFL Shield. Regardless of where you stand on the issues, one of the most coveted brands in the world is the NFL. I know many sources that want to work with former players because they are aware of the much publicized treatment of former players by the League and by the NFLPA but also because they want an opportunity to be able to be connected to the NFL brand in some way. To be able to use the NFL Shield to benefit retired players will open many doors and create new found opportunities for us as a group. I personally know of numerous opportunities like free Chiropractic care for former players and their families to various income producing opportunities that would benefit all players purely because of the lure of the Shield.
Please excuse me if I get back into a “player mode”. Now is the time where we have to cut the bullshit and stand together! The downturn in the economy has affected everyone and as I talk with former players who have lost jobs and income they don’t give a shit about petty bickering and name calling. The only thing they want to know is who can help them and when will change take place? Here is another reason to have one organization that works for all of us. With many former players in a “panic” mode now there is absolutely no reason why Retired Players can’t have a job bank to assist them with finding employment opportunities around the country even during times like we are currently in.
Every day that goes by is a day that we will never get back! It’s imperative that we find ways to work together as Retired Players to improve the plight of everyone!
Harry Carson