 |
DIGNITY AFTER FOOTBALL |
"SHINING THE LIGHT OF TRUTH"
FULL ARCHIVE PAGE
IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
STRAP IT ON, WE ARE READY TO FIGHT!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SEE FULL CRS RELEASED APRIL 9 2008, BELOW
***Senate Leader Harry Reid's full speech video also below***
Latest News, Pictures, and Commentaries below- don't miss any of it!
--DAF is your easy source for all the information needed for retired NFL players--
---READ BELOW FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND NEWS ARCHIVES
FOUNDED BY KENNY EASLEY, BIG ED WHITE, COL. JACK KELLY USMC RETIRED, AND BRENT BOYD; WITH PLENTY OF GRASSROOTS HELP FROM COUNTLESS OTHERS THIS IS YOUR SITE! WE ARE UNITED, NOT COMPETING, WITH ALL OTHER WEBSITES AND GROUPS WHO ARE ALSO FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF RETIRED NFL PLAYERS... WE ARE ATTACKING FROM MANY SIDES, BUT WE ARE ALL OF THE SAME GOALS AND PURPOSE OF MIND, WE ARE ONE UNIT. |
Brent Boyd testifies to U.S. Senate, Sept. 18 , 2007, with Garrett Webster,Mike Webster's son, left...also testifying for us that day were Mike Ditka, Gale Sayers, and Daryl Johnston and Webster. Read the CRS, Congressional report resulting from these hearings, below. The CRs substantiates all of our grievances. Also further below is the LEADER of the U.S. Senate, Harry Reid, taking our issues to the Senate floor and fighting for us - and making REAL threats for change or more serious hearings.. see full video of Reid's speech honoring Boyd linked below |
Brent Boyd, left, testifies to House Judiciary subcommittee, June 26, 2007 on behalf of some 10,000 NFL Retirees. as Mike Ditka watches on. In February 2007, Boyd coined the phrase in an interview that became our effective Battle Cry--- "DELAY, DENY, AND HOPE WE DIE!
Senator Byron Dorgan Chaired the Commerce NFL hearing. We thank Sen. Dorgan (and his wonderful staff) for his interest and diligence in his preparation, and we have all the confidence in the world he will follow through with what his investigation uncovered. Senator Reid and others are surely willing to step up and bring justice if others waffle. Rest assured, we have no shortage of Senators ready to protect your rights and give you back your Dignity.
send in your pictures! and your own horror stories of dealing with this system please email ASAP to bboyd62@aol.com
"www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org"
Welcome DRLC to the DAF Family
SPORTS LEGACY INSTITUTE Brent Boyd would like to thank the prestigious SLI and Chris Nowinski for adding Brent to the Board as an Athlete Advisor Please check the SLI site, dealing with sports concussions
Please support Chris and the SLI |
Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., is still looking for answers from the NFL and the NFLPA.
Brent Boyd, Mike Ditka,and Harry Carson testify before Congress in June 2007. Thanks for the dignity provided by Coach Ditka and Harry Carson, and Curt Marsh, in their testimonies. DONATIONS NEEDED! we are close to winning, please support DAF so we can help finish the job. DAF has been amongst the leaders in this fight, and our voice and message is being heard by the right people. Just look at the tremendous gains we have made in the past months. We have to continue, we have to get PENSIONS drastcially improved and disability to all who need it. please send even small donations to: Dignity After Football 10580 N. McCarran Blvd #115-226 Reno, NV 89503 775-560-7746 we are about to put them away and finish this with a great victory, please help us keep the pressure on and "shine the light of truth" on the problems
DAF supports ADAWatch and other disability advocacy groups, and seeks a mighty coalition that will benefit both sides.
DIGNITY AFTER FOOTBALL co-founder and Board member, another sure Hall of Fame future inductee- the great Kenny Easley |
NEWS AND COMMENTARY
ARCHIVES
(see news below, including trial's opening statements)
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM DAF!
STAY UNITED!!!
REMEMBER, THIS IDEA OF A RETIRED PLAYERS SUMMIT WAS
PROUDLY FIRST CALLED FOR RIGHT HERE BY DAF
DON'T LET OTHERS HIJACK THE GREAT IDEA WE HAVE
ALL WORKED FOR TOGETHER
RE: registering for new retiree's group---
REST ASSURED, IF YOU REGISTERED HERE,
YOU ARE OFFICIALLY REGISTERED..
YOU DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES NEED TO RE-REGISTER
PLEASE REPORT IMMEDIATELY ANYONE POSING AS SOMEONE WHO
NFL and union will cough up $100
a month towards Medicare supplement
4 comments 
December 9, 3:17 PM
by Paula Duffy, Sports Examiner
Dignity After Football logo (in Examiner)
Don't get me started on the latest magnanimous gesture of the NFL. And I say that with all the sarcasm I can muster.
The league has been humbled by the plight of retired players who have a difficult time making ends meet, keeping a roof over their heads and getting necessary medical care. They believe that most of that care is related to the toll on their bodies from their years in the NFL.
We have heard Mike Ditka speak on the subject as well as former Packer great Jerry Kramer. Wives of retired players like Sylvia Mackey have taken center stage at times to raise awareness about the condition of their husbands.
The league and its union have pitted the active players against the retirees by insisting that the money for needy older men must come from the the salary cap numbers that apply to those on NFL rosters today. That has caused undue stress between the active union members and the men who claim they gave up their bodies so that the youngsters can make millions a year. It's not pretty.
The former head of the NFL Players Association, the late Gene Upshaw was from that older generation of former players and the animus that existed between him and some of his former teammates was palpable. The league and union, in the last few years have established some programs to address the needs of players with dementia and those who require joint replacement.
But the biggest issue for the retired players who are approaching or already at the age of 65 has always been medical coverage. In its latest move to try and satisfy that vocal group, the union and league announced a monthly stipend for all players over the age of 65 and who are fully vested in the pension plan. It is to be used towards a Medicare supplemental plan. If you know anything about the cost of medication today, that small stipend doesn't get you very far. But as the league likes to say, it's better than anything that other sports organizations offer their retired players well after they have retired.
What they never seem to want to address is the difference between the shape of one's body after a career, no matter how long, in the NFL vs. say Major League Baseball.
STAY UNITED!
RETIRED NFL PLAYERS TO ATTEMPT
TO ORGANIZE INTO ONE UNITED GROUP,
ONE GROUP-DIVERSE, REPRESENTATIVE OF DIFFERENT GROUPS,
DIVERSITY OF AGE, RACE, GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
A DEMOCTATIC GROUP CONTROLLED BY YOU, THE RETIREES-
NO THUG DICTATORSHIP AS WE HAVE SURVIVED WITH "OUR"
NFLPA
HERE IS A CHANCE FOR YOU TO GET OFF YOUR REAR
AND DO SOMETHING TO HELP YOURSELF
NFL/NFLPA HAVE $BILLIONS-THEY WILL TRY TO SUBVERT
WE WILL HAVE PLAYERS ON OUR OWN SIDE SABOTAGING
THIS ADMIRABLE EFFORT
BUT, WE HAVE THE STRENGTH OF OUR
POWER OF NUMBERS ON OUR SIDE!
DON'T LET ANY ONE PLAYER OR GROUP TELL YOU
THET ARE IN CHARGE UNTIL YOU VOTE THEM IN.
WE DO NOT HAVE A"KING"-
WE WILL FAIRLY FORM OUR GROUP
AND
APPOINT OUR LEADERS OURSELVES
to register- send email to bboyd62@aol.com
give your name, teams and years played
Dec 2, 2008
Players Inc trial
OPENING STATEMENTS
thanks to lead attorney Ron Katz for selecting info for you to read-
today, here is Day 2 of the trial
Read the great Opening Statement by Peter Parcher!
--Also, Clifton McNeil begins his testimony
Dec 1, 2008
SF TRIAL TRANSCRIPTS
THANKS TO LEAD ATTORNEY RON KATZ--
DAY ONE OF TRIAL
JURY SELECTION
Nov 26, 2008
BRENT BOYD APPEARS LIVE
ON BLACK ATHLETES SPORTS NETWORK
(BASN)
FOOTBALL REPORTERS ONLINE SHOW
LEGEND LEONARD MARSHALL AND
LIFFERT HOBLEY ALSO APPEAR
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW,
BOYD APPEARS AT ABOUT THE 50 MINUTE MARK
Nov 25, 2008
INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDENT PAPER WRITES
ONE OF BEST EVER REPORTS ON NFL RETIREES' PLIGHT.
ABOUT BRENT BOYD, AND ANDRE WATERS' SUICIDE
"CARRIED OFF IN A COFFIN"
(excerpt)
What would it be like to play God? The NFL might know.
If I were God, I would do three things: end world hunger, cure all forms
of cancer
and give Brent Boyd $960,000 dollars.
Boyd is a former offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings.
He only played seven seasons, but he should have played more.
To say Boyd was smart is to say that Helen of Troy was average-looking....
And while the health of its former players have declined,
the NFL has skyrocketed in dollars and demand.
It has the highest revenues of the four major sports, earning nearly $6 billion a year.
The NFL's latest contract, which will run until the end of 2011,
will bring in $3.7 billion a year for television rights alone.
But they won't pay Boyd a dime more than $1,550 per month.
He deserves the minimum $4,000 that retired players receive if they can prove
that their disabilities stem from football-related injuries.
If I were God, Boyd would receive $960,000 -- for the 20 years the NFL has ignored his paralyzed pleas.
The NFL turned its back on Waters, too. The repercussions of concussions
were too much for him. He finally gave in, as Boyd's teammate had once put it,
the only way an NFL player can.
Waters was carried off in a coffin, having done as he was told.
click here for Indiana U story "Carried off in a Coffin"
Nov. 24, 2008
JEFF NIXON WRITES LETTER TO NFL RETIREES
RE:GLA'S AND LICENSING
PLEASE READ!!
an excerpt:
"Obviously, the revenue generating capacity of current superstar players
and Hall of Fame players is greater than that of most players both active
and retired, but all of them would acknowledge that football is a team sport
and that their achievements on the field could only be made possible
by the hard work and contributions of their teammates.
When the NFLPA first issued the GLA's, I thought that
they were finally recognizing this fact.
Unfortunately, they did not follow through with their end of the agreement.
please click here to read Jeff Nixon's important letter
Nov. 19, 2008
A Developing EA Sports Scandal?
Players, Inc. helped Electronic Arts buy rights to the likenesses
of nearly 150 Hall of Famers for far less than those rights are worth.
by Peter Keating
ESPN MAG'S PETER KEATING
WRITES ABOUT HOW EA
SCREWED HOF'ers
OUT OF MONEY IN A BELOW-MARKET-VALUE
SECRET DEAL
- IT ALSO PUT THE COMPETITION OUT OF BUSINESS
We sent an email with the attachment containing
all the pertinent emails, courtesy of
Ron Katz...
if you missed that email, let me know and I will send it to you
write me at bboyd62@aol.com for a copy
click here for Peter Keating's ESPN Article
Nov. 18, 2008
A "MUST-READ" LETTER FROM FORMER BALT. COLTS'
BOB GRANT
-PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THIS LETTER!
Nov. 16, 2008
"THE SMOKING GUN LETTER"
as called by lead attorney Ron Katz,
this is one of the most important pieces of evidence
in the SF trial between retired NFL players v NFLPA/ Players Inc
This is a letter from Players Inc (NFLPA) Asst. VP Lashun Lawson
to Electronic Arts (EA) - the makers of the Madden video games,
warning them not to use actual "real" retired players,
but to scramble identities instead,
in order to prevent having to pay the retired players
Remember, Madden games have 143 "vintage" teams,
made up of you retirees from decades past, and only 32 "current" teams
please click here to read this letter
Nov 15, 2008
RON KATZ, LEAD ATTORNEY, SENDS
DIGNITY AFTER FOOTBALL
A COPY OF THE CLOSING ARGUMENTS-
IN HIS WORDS---
"Fyi attached is closing argument that generated $21 million in punitive damages"
After the Jury found for the Plaintiff's, the next and last hearing was on Punitive damages.
The jury had already awarded $7.1 mil, but would they add to that figure with Punitive damages
to set an example for ALL Unions not to behave in this type of malicious misconduct?
Or would they award nothing additional?
This is Ron Katz argument that added the additional $21 mil in punitive damages
to the existing $7.1 mil, giving us a total of $28.1 mil-
a VERY strong message sent by the jury, thanks to Katz' closing comments
click here to read Katz' closing argument
Nov.14, 2008
RON KATZ' STATEMENT TO NFL RETIREES
WE HAVE RECEIVED COUNTLESS EMAILS SINCE WE RELEASED
THE LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT-
MANY ARE ASKING, "WHY WASN'T I INCLUDED? WHY WERE SOME OF MY TEAMMATES WHO
PLAYED ONLY A YEAR INCLUDED; WHAT WAS THE CRITERIA FOR BEING INCLUDED; AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
WHAT WAS THE CRITERIA FOR GETTING A GROUP LICENSING AGREEMENT (GLA) TO SIGN FROM THE NFLPA
IN THE FIRST PLACE? IS IT TOO LATE TO ADD MY NAME? ETC
IN ORDER TO HELP REPRESENT RETIRED PLAYERS, WE AGAIN CONTACTED LEAD PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY
RON KATZ
AND ASKED HIM TO PROVIDE DAF WITH A STATEMENT ADDRESSING THSE QUESTIONS
WE THANK MR. KATZ FOR HIS PROMPT REPLY, AND FOR ALL HIS
DEDICATED WORK IN WINNING THIS CASE
REMEMBER, WE WERE NOT PART OF THIS CASE, WE ARE JUST
HELPING IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH RETIREES AND ACTING AS YOUR REPORTERS
AND NOW, THE STATEMENT FROM RON KATZ TO DIGNITY AFTER FOOTBALL-------
, " to Brent Boyd,
The list of those who signed GLA's that were effective between February 14, 2004 and February 13, 2007
was provided to the class action law firms by the NFLPA. The class action law firms
then retained a professional
mailing firm to send first-class letters to those 2074 players on the list,
who then had until August 15, 2008
to opt out of the class.
Twelve players opted out.
The NFLPA decided who received GLA's. From the evidence, it appears that
the union made solicitations of retired members to sign GLA's from time to time,
both by mail and at meetings of retired players.
The class list is now a public record. If someone has a signed GLA for the relevant period
but is not on the list, the class lawyers will make the Court aware
of that and will ask that that person be included."
(end of statement)
Nov. 13, 2008
HERE IT IS, WHAT YOU'VE ALL BEEN ASKING-
"WHO IS INCLUDED IN THIS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT?"
A Dignity After Football exclusive report
Here is your first look at the entire class list, given to Dignity After Football
today by lead Plaintiff Attorney Ron Katz (thank you, Mr. Katz)
we have received countless inquiries to see who was included.
I was NOT, for example.
We were not a part of this case, we just reported the facts to you.
Special thanks to Herb Adderly for being lead plaintiff and painfully
sitting and suffering thru the trial , with Dignity,
and thanks to attorneys Ron Katz and Peter Parcher
and their wonderful support teams.
Now, we have the pleasure of being the first to announce to you
the members of the Class Action suit v NFLPA/Players Inc.:
click here to see the full official list, see if you are included
Nov.12, 2008
New York Times reports on NFL retirees & NFLPA
Brent Boyd speaks to the New York Times
distinguished writed Alan Schwartz
"Court Verdict for N.F.L. Retirees Starts New Era"
by Alan Schwartz
"One retired player, the former Minnesota Vikings lineman Brent Boyd,
said on Tuesday that he hoped a new era of cooperation could be forged, p
articularly in the wake of the death of the longtime union chief Gene Upshaw in August. Upshaw,
whose replacement has not been selected, had been a lightning rod for criticism by retirees.
“I think definitely it will have ripple effects,” Boyd said of the verdict. “I’m hoping it will cause some fresh thinking
and cooperation with retired players instead of all-out war,
which is what we’ve been getting.”
click here for full NY Times article
or-
if that link forces you to a subscription,
Nov.11, 2008
Los Angeles Times reports on Players Inc. verdict
(Greg Johnson reporting)
"If you do the math, it comes out to $13,000 per class member," said Ron Katz, the Bay Area attorney
who represented 2,062 former NFL players, including 17 Hall of Fame members.
"I think the former players are going to be very satisfied."
However, the lawyers and judge must still decide how to divvy up the award,
some of which will go toward paying attorneys.
Herb Adderley, the former Green Bay Packers great and Hall of Fame member
who initiated the class-action lawsuit more than two years ago,
said Monday that the financial award will
"help a lot of guys, and, hopefully, change the union's ways of taking advantage of the retired players."
Katz said that language in the counts that jurors found the union to be guilty of included such phrases as
"malicious and oppressive conduct with evil motive," and
"conduct that was outrageous and grossly fraudulent."
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Adderley said.
The jury's verdict "opens the door for Congress to revisit the many wrongful denials of disability benefits,"
said former Minnesota Vikings player Brent Boyd, who wasn't part of the class-action lawsuit but has been lobbying in Washington
for a federal investigation into how the union and league treat former players.
click here for full LA Times story
Nov. 10, 2008
4:50 p.m. Pacific time
Retired NFL Players Get $28.1M,
Including $21M in Punitives
Dignity After Football was the first
to report this great news to NFL Retirees-
visit us for the latest news and opinions
Nov. 4, 2008
GOODELL ANNOUNCES MEETING WITH RETIREES
IN CHICAGO ONLY A DISGRACEFUL
5 DAYS IN ADVANCE
the meeting is in Halas Hall this Sat. Nov 8,
--the cowards refuse to give advance notice,
they don't want us to attend-
but gleam rave reviews for the meetings anyway
from media
Oct 31, 2008
Senators want more NFL games on TV
By KIMBERLY HEFLING, AP
30 October 2008 @ 12:38 am EST
WASHINGTON - Senators have asked the NFL commissioner to make game
broadcasts on the NFL Network available on free television to more fans.
The league has said it provides free broadcasts in the home cities of competing teams.
But 13 lawmakers said in a letter this week to Roger Goodell that the NFL
is too narrowly interpreting what a home city is.
Oct. 25, 2008
.
AS A REMINDER, HERE IS COPY OF NFL DISABILITY REFORM CALLED
"THE BOYD PLAN"
-A RESPONSE IN JULY 2007 TO DIRECT WRITTEN FOLLOW-UP QUESTION
FROM CHAIR LINDA SANCHEZ-
SOME MAY SEE SIMALARITIES TO SOMETHING ELSE RECENTLY,
AND FINALLY,
MADE PUBLIC
CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF PAGE
FOR THE "BOYD PLAN" FOR NFL DISABILITY REFORM
SEE FOR YOURSELF THE ORIGINAL IDEAS....
Oct. 21, 2008
---IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL NFL RETIREES----
JUDGE ALSUP IMPOSES GAG ORDER
ON OVER 2,000 NFL RETIREES
IF YOU ARE, OR EVEN THINK YOU MAY BE, ON THE LIST OF SOME 2,067
NFL RETIREES IN CLASS ACTION,
PLEASE REMAIN SILENT!
A LETTER FROM IN-COURT ATTENDEE BRENT BOYD:
Fellow NFL Retirees,
I have been in attendance at the trial in U.S. district court in San Francisco, pitting retired players against NFLPA/Players Inc (Parrish, Adderly et al v Players Inc)
Today, Judge William Alsup ( a great Judge) made a gag order preventing any of you who are part of this class action suit (and there are approx. 2067 of you) from speaking to any media. The attorneys, NFLPA and all parties involved are similarly ordered to silence until the end of the trial, anticipated to be just before Thanksgiving..
Judge Alsup runs a tight ship, and we have a great case based on merit, so we want to make sure we let the attorneys win this case.
I was somehow dropped from the class so I am free to contact all of you.
Herb Adderly has heroically sat in for all of us at the lawyers table despite great pain and long hours and the temptation to speak out against the weasel attorneys for NFLPA. (he was discouraged by the Judge from standing and stretching his bad back for fear it would "look" football related..which of course it is.)
Out of the other main plaintiffs, Walt Roberts has been in the audience, and the catalyst for this lawsuit, Bernie Parrish, has been absent so far. Judge Alsup has removed Bernie as lead plaintiff in this case.
Other retirees in the crowd (and I apologize if I leave anyone out, I am sure I have but I am not a pro reporter) are Walter Beach, Clifton Mcneil, Bob Brown, Ben Lynch, Kathy and Lucious Smith, Troy Auzenne. Again, there were more in attendance that I didn't know or have forgotten. Bruce Laird is scheduled to testify next week.
From the bad guys, Dick Berthelson, Clark Gaines, and NFLPA attorney Joe Nora have been sitting in.
Today we had opening statements from both sides and Clifton McNeil testified.
The Judge expects this case to be turned over to the jury around Nov 7 and a verdict possibly Nov 14 or later.
Of great interest to me today was a NFLPA exhibit showing different "star" players and the amounts they have made from their licensing...we have long wondered why so many big names have remained silent on the issue of NFL retirees' suffering, now we know why.
Pick a big name and they are making 10's of $millions per year from licensing alone.
If you are near homelessness, can't walk from football injuries, or don't recognize your family due to NFL concussions..well, screw you I guess..there is money to be made on stupid video games!!!
so much for brotherhood, it's time for unabashed "me first" greed.
To hell with former teammates and fellow retirees. These heroes apparently performed alone during their NFL careers. Shame on them .
follow the money!
That's it, tomorrow is all Doug Allen testifying.
The main point is that anyone who is part of this class lawsuit must remain silent publicly about the case until it is over.
Love to all,
Brent Boyd
Oct. 20, 2008
RETIRED PLAYERS TRIAL VS NFLPA AND PLAYERS INC
BEGINS TODAY IN SAN FRANCISCO
Sept 23, 2008
FORMER VIKES GREAT WALLY HILGENBERG DIES AT 66
Star Tribune
Wally Hilgenberg
Sept 22, 2008
EX-LONGTIME NFLPA EXECUTIVE DUBERSTEIN
FIRES OFF ANGRY RANT AGAINST RETIRED PLAYERS
(CLICK ANYWHERE ABOVE FOR DUBERSTEIN'S UNCONTROLLED RANT)
THIS TELLS YOU WHAT YOUR UNION REALLY THINKS OF
RETIRED PLAYERS AND OUR PLIGHT
-HEARTLESS RANT FROM SUPPOSED ADVOCATE ATTACKS RETIREES,
WITH POTENTIALLY LEGALLY SLANDEROUS AND UNNECESSARY
PERSONAL ATTACKS
DUBERSTEIN HAS JUST HELPED GEL THE COMMUNITY OF RETIRED PLAYERS
AS ONE UNIT, WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE SAME COMMON GOALS
READ HERE A RESPONSE FROM GRIDIRON GREATS TO
UNWARRANTED ATTACKS BY DUBERSTEIN
GRIDIRON GREATS Response to Duberstein Wall Street Journal Blog about retired players
Mr. Duberstien, despite your "credentials", you, like the union and league, have missed the point. You have also not done all of your research, despite that being your stated profession. In fact, the words you have written are the bases for a pretty strong defamation lawsuit from all those you have defamed, Gridiron Greats and Mike Ditka being just two of them. As a "researcher", you should know better.
To the retired player community, our guess is that the asbestos and lead-paint producing folks had a bit of a public relations issue on their hands for a while. But, we know that that eventually got resolved.
There are many former football players that are hurting and living in stark conditions. How has it become an act of piracy to call attention to and try to help them?. The American system allows us as citizens to call attention to problems and inequities. That is what the former player community is doing, whether it be through Bruce Laird, Bernie Parrish, Mike Ditka, Fourth and Goal, Heroes of Texas, Brent Boyd, Kyle Turley, many others, and, yes, the "Gridiron Greats" (please spell our name correctly). All organizations stand united and of a single purpose -- to address the conditions and needs of former NFL football players. Each group has a specific focus, but the general goals are the same. In response to your blog, we can only comment on the purposes of the Gridiron Greats, which are humanitarian.
If you want to engage in spurious and untruthful comments about Mike Ditka, then you need to print the truth (or it is defamation). The same applies to the Gridiron Greats.
The Gridiron Greats is a non-profit organization that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help dire-need players. We are not an issue advocacy group. If you, Mr. Duberstein, had placed one call to the Gridiron Greats organization, you would have found out that in less than two years of existence, we have assisted approximately 80 former ball players with direct financial aid and indirect social service support of around $800,000.00. You also would have found out that we now have a voluntary medical referral program that is beginning to facilitate pro-bono medical services to former players. The first one is actually taking place today. You also would have found out that a growing number of current players such as Matt Birk support the organization.
Mike Ditka did not call Congress to testify -- they called him as well as Gale Sayers adn Daryl Johnston and the son of Mike Webster. Mike Ditka is not required to give tens of thousands of dollars of his own money, not to mention countless hours of his time, to help former players; yet, he does. Mike Ditka is a member of the Board of Directors of Gridiron Greats. He is an extremely caring human being, that, despite malicious comments from someone like you, will continue on his mission to help former players. The others such as Parrish and Laird are not required to spend the countless hours away from their jobs and families to work on these issues, but they do . The Union, with its employment of such examples as "the Truth Squad", have made this a dirtier dialogue than need be.
Your chief argument, when all is said and done, is that fixing the problems is too expensive. We acknowledge addressing these issues will be expensive and a lengthy process. But, that does not mean that we should not begin the journey. Gridiron Greats, Dignity After Football, Fourth and Goal, Heroes of Texas, Retired Players for Justice, and other groups will not give up.
Our organization is a not-for-profit Section 501(c)(3), and we are fully public. We realize that this is an emotional issue for parties on both sides. We find it hard to understand why a group, such as ours, whose only mission is to help people living in poverty -- and who in many cases cannot afford food, medicine, or clothing -- has drawn such ire.
We, for one, feel we have a duty to those that have suffered and come before us like Mike Webster and players who are suffering now like Willie Wood, and for players that will come later.
You are certainly free to write what you want. We only suggest that if you are writing publicly, you print the truth.
Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund
www.gridirongreats.org
Sept 21, 2008
SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE REPORTS
52 PRO-BOWLERS LINKED TO STEROIDS-
185 NAMES ALTOGETHER
|
|
CLICK HERE OR ON SYRINGE LOGO FOR UNION-TRIB STORY
Sept 17, 2008
JEFF NIXON Writes Open Letter to NFL Retirees-
gives thoughtful and precise review of our current state
"NFLPA SCRAMBLES RETIRED PLAYERS AND HALL OF FAMERS"
click here to read this- it's a must!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Sept 13, 2008
MEMORIAL SERVICES HELD FOR FORMER
NFL COACH AND PLAYER, SERVICES HELD IN RENO, NV
R.I.P.
FLOYD PETERS
Floyd played at the defensive tackle position for twelve seasons (1959 to 1970) in the National Football League
with the Cleveland Browns
, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins.
His career highlights include three-time All-Pro status (1964, 1966 to 1967)
and three-time Pro Bowl selection (1964, 1966 to 1967),
including outstanding lineman for the 1967 Pro Bowl.
He went on to become one of the most successful defensive coordinators of his time
____________________________________________________________________________
Sept 1, 2008
We thought he was gone, WE WERE RESPECTFUL....
what do we get????
ALL NFL PLAYERS MUST WEAR PATCH ON
UNIFORM HONORING GENE UPSHAW
FOR ENTIRE 2008 SEASON;
SOME STADIUMS TO PAINT REPLICA
OF PATCH ON FIELD
IS THIS APPROPRIATE OR PISSING IN OUR FACE?
CLICK HERE FOR ESPN ARTICLE ON THE UNIFORM PATCH
_______________________________________________________________________
Aug 30, 2008
VIRGIANIAN-PILOT RUNS SERIES OF ARTICLES
EXPLAINING PLIGHT OF RETIRED NFL PLAYERS
thanks to ed miller and the virginian-Pilot for having the courgage to
continue to tell our truths; some in media have gone mysteriously silent;
are they bought off, tired of our suffering; or appeased by false announcements
by the "Alliance"?
Please encourage your local papers to keep on our stories, to tell
our truths...it's called "journalism"
"NFL disability hassles add to pain of lingering injuries"
By Ed Miller
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 30, 2008
***link to main article- click here***
link to the three related articles below
(After-effects of NFL concussions)
( Despite changes, NFL benefits claims fraught with red tape)
( NFL disability hassles add to pain of lingering injuries)
_______________________________________________________
Aug 26, 2008
GRIDIRON GREATS, COACH DITKA HOLD GREAT WEEK OF EVENTS;
RAISE MONEY FOR THE HURTING AND AFFECTED FORMER NFL PLAYERS
THANK YOU GRIDIRON GREATS
THANK YOU COACH DITKA FOR YOUR OUTSPOKEN LEADERSHIP
(picture courtesy of Gridiron Greats-
for more info go to www.gridirongreats.org)
_____________________________________________________________________________
AUG 21, 2008
***EXTRA NEWS SPECIAL***
R.I.P.
GENE UPSHAW DIES AT AGE 63
IRONICALLY, UPSHAW DIES A FEW MINUTES FROM BRENT BOYD'S
RENO/TAHOE AREA HOME
SOME FIRST MEDIA NEWS REPORTS:
WASHINGTON POST, AUG 22-
DAF QUOTE FROM THE POST-
Former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Brent Boyd, one of the players who had clashed with Upshaw over benefits for retirees,
said yesterday he didn't feel the blame for the dispute rested entirely with Upshaw.
"I would say no life is easily reduced to one issue, and we had our issues and he's caused some suffering,
but there's still some humanity and our hearts and prayers go out to his family," Boyd said.
"Upshaw was an easy target, but the problem was bigger than him. It is the institution itself and the commissioner.
He would be the piñata and take the beating and make it seem that one man was taking the shots,
but the problem is more than just him."
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS - AUG 22
DAF QUOTE FROM NY DAILY NEWS:
"
Former Minnesota Viking Brent Boyd, who became homeless due to depression caused;
by football concussions, ;remembered Upshaw, who died Wednesday night at age 63 from pancreatic cancer,
as the leader of a union that was intent on keeping him from receiving benefits.
"My thoughts and prayers are with his family," said Boyd, who testified before Congress last year on his battle with the NFLPA.
"That's more than he did for retired players and their families. He didn't lift a finger to help me."
Huff, Boyd and other former players say the NFL's disability and retirement plan,
which is run jointly by the league and the union,
is designed not to assist players who suffered debilitating injuries but to stonewall them.
Senate LEADER Reid with Brent Boyd.
Senate Leader Harry Reid CARES about you NFL retirees!
-quotes from Reid's speech, the first time our issues have been brought to the Senate FLOOR-
“But Brent Boyd and so many others like him still suffer the pain of their injuries
and still struggle to pay their bills on far less disability assistance than they deserve.
In the coming weeks, I will work with the NFL and Players’ Association
and other retirees to ensure that progress is being made.
If needed, we will call for more hearings.
“As the bright lights shine on Super Bowl XLII this Sunday, I want Brent
and his injured brothers to know that they are not fighting in the shadows.
They deserve a spotlight too.” by Sen. Harry Reid
(see below for video and details of speech)
Best Wishes to Bob Schmidt for a speedy recovery
from surgery
--- STAY TUNED FOR HUGE ANNOUNCEMENTS!
COMING VERY SOON
SPECIAL THANKS TO COACH DITKA AND GRIDIRON GREATS (www.gridirongreats.org)
Bob Schmidt and the Vince Lombardi Foundation
And to Jane and Jon Arnett and their Retired Professsional Athletes Association
--------
ARCHIVED NEWS UPDATES
Aug 15, 2008
NFL VP OF COMMUNICATIONS, OF ALL PEOPLE,
ADMITS TO NY TIMES HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOUR SUFFERING
AS NFL RETIREES,
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO HIM IS WHAT HIS NEIGHBORS SEE
PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY!!!
GOODELL, TIME FOR RAMIFICATIONS!
HOW MANY MORE?
HOW MANY MORE WILL BE HOMELESS, LIVE IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS,
DEPEND ON GRIDIRON GREATS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK..
HOW MANY MORE SUICIDES DUE TO HOPELESSNESS?
AND THESE SELFISH BASTARD EXECS ARE WORRYING ABOUT THE
BMW VS MERCEDES CONTEST
IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THIS IS LIFE OR DEATH TO HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS.
PINKY FINGER UP, NFL EXECS CARE ONLY ABOUT WHAT THE NEIGHBORS THINK?
TAKE AWAY THEIR COMFY ANTI-TRUST EXEMPTIONS, CONGRESS.
(YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT)
(click here for NY Times article)
Aug 8 2008
Anders Boyd, unconcious firefighter, rescued by Blackhawk helicopters
fighting outrageous CA wildfire
(see below for details)
BUT WHO IS THIS MAN SAVING???
WHO IS NFLPA SAVING???
Their own ass???
Upshaw and NFLPA should be our own "Blackhawk" rescue copter,
not stuffing his pockets with our retirement money
(Gene Upshaw golfs at Lake Tahoe)
Aug 7,2008
PAUL HORNUNG SAYS HIS ERA IGNORED
Aug 5, 2008
SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL REPORTS ON
THE PARRISH/ADDERLY/ROBERTS LAWSUIT
though Katz said he has no plans to sue EA.
And he is now saying the case is about more than just whether the GLA triggers license payments,
but how thousands of retired players have been directly used by EA without compensation
CLICK ANYWHERE ABOVE FOR ARTICLE
Aug 3, 2008
HALL OF FAME CEREMONIES GO OFF WITHOUT A
MENTION TO OUR PLIGHT
...WHILE YOU AND I WERE SUFFERING, A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL
-SHAME ON THOSE WHO KEPT SILENT!!!
----------------
Parrish/Adderly v Upshaw & Players Inc
coming to San Francisco Sept 22!!!
witnesses must show up, books must be opened
more to come about this all important trial
------------------------------
Also on the positive side, Congress is in recess for August,
but will return to work with a vengeance against
the NFL corruption
Congress is working with us to protect YOUR
dignity!!!
HOUSE JUDICIARY, SENATE LEADER REID HAVE PROMISED JUSTICE FOR
RETIRED NFL PLAYERS
stay with us at DAF,
we cannot lose
July 6, 2008
Former Player, Announcer, BILL MAAS announces NFL-related brain injuries
July 4, 2008
A 4th of July message calling for unity and to keep up the fight from Brent Boyd
July 2, 2008
Here's another story worthy of interrupting our hiatus-
Washington Times headlines---
NFLPA seeking Upshaw's successor
Board, director remain at odds
David Elfin
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Getty Images The NFLPA's executive board has started its own search for
executive director Gene Upshaw's successor against his wishes.
Guys and wives, in DAF's view, it's too late to care if Upsaw is gone
(although we all want to see that, WITHOUT the huge severance package).
He has set up a regime, so all we will get is the same crap, just from a different set of buttcheeks.
CURRENT PLAYERS, TAKE HEED, WE MUST CLEAN HOUSE TOP TO BOTTOM
OF THIS CORRUPT REGIME!!!
EXTRA!! EXTRA!!
SPECIAL "OUT OF
HIATUS BONUS EDITION"
June 24, 2008
CHARLES CHANDLER OF CHARLOTTE OBSERVER RELEASES TWO
DAMNING ARTICLES AGAINST NFL/NFLPA;
CONGRESS ABOUT TO ANNOUNCE CHANGES TO BE MADE
WITH HELP FROM DIGNITY AFTER FOOTBALL
AND OUR PARTNERS SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED
1) Congress invokes antitrust
HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN LINDA SANCHEZ
TAKES UP FIGHT FOR NFL'S RETIRED, DISABLED PLAYERS
BY CHARLES CHANDLER
(CLICK ANYWHERE FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE. CHAIR SANCHEZ SAYS
SHE HAS NO PROBLEM WITH PULLING THE PLUG ON NFL'S ANTI-TRUST EXEMPTIONS,
SOMETHING BRENT BOYD CALLLED FOR AT LAST JUNE'S HOUSE JUDICIARY HEARINGSS
2) NFL Players Association
FEDERAL PAPERS REVEAL SHREDDING BY NFL!!!
In year of move, scrutiny concerning retirees,
union pays more than $12,000 to destroy documents last fiscal year
(click above for full charles chandler article)
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
MANY OF OUR MEDICAL FILES, INCLUDING MY OWN,
"DISAPPEARED".
WE BELIEVE THEY WERE DESTROYED BY THIS GANG
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(NOW, FOR THE ABSURD)
HERE IS THE CHART, FROM LAST MARCH 2008 SO IT
HAD FALLEN NEAR BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE,
(chart exlusive property of DIGNITY AFTER FOOTBALL)
The increase in disability pay coincidentally came shortly after this chart posted on this website showing that TWO men,
Goodell at $11.7 million, and Upshaw at $7 million and growing..2 men made the same amount roughly as the NFL admitted
they paid annually to ALL disabled players, $20 mil
(research, creative ideas, and pie-chart artwork all belong to Brent Boyd)
This chart helped embarrass the "alliance", such as it is, to make the changes they announced in March.
Those changes are not enough, and in fact take back some of our basic and biiggest rights..
WE MUST FIGHT THESE GUYS! DON'T LET THEM LULL YOU INTO COMPLACENY
ALSO, "THE BOYD PLAN" FOR FIXING DISABILITY PROCESS, AN ORIGINAL DOCUMENT,
SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS AUGUST 5, 2007,
HAS ALWAYS BEEN AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE AND STILL IS LINKED NEAR BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE..
IN ADDITION, IT HAS ALWAS BEEN POSTED ON THE U.S. SENATE COMMERCE WEBSITE
FOR ALL INTERESTED PARTIES TO VIEW---WE SUGGEST EVERYONE READS IT CAREFULLY;
THE KEYS TO OUR FUTURE ARE CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT
for your convenience,
PLEASE READ THE BOYD PLAN HERE (scroll to end of testimony)
UNITE AND FIGHT!
SEE FULL CRS RELEASED APRIL 9 2008, BELOW
***Senate Leader Harry Reid's full speech video also below***
Latest News, Pictures, and Commentaries below- don't miss any of it!
Ed and Joann with family on Ed's 60th Heartfelt and Long-awaited Letter to all of you from DAF co-founder Big Ed White Ed White- hey, next year's Super Bowl voters- 241 consecutive games played - an NFL record for OL when he retired. winner of the most NFL Strongman one of the most respected MEN to wear an NFL uniform
ANDERS BOYD SURVIVES NFLPA'S ABANDONMENT - RECEIVES SENATORIAL RECOGNITION AWARD!!!
WHY IS THIS RELEVANT, OTHER THAN A DAD BEING PROUD??? THIS KID ANDERS LOOKED UPSHAW IN THE EYE MANY, MANY TIMES, AND WAS POLITE DESPITE BEING HOMELESS BECAUSE OF UPSHAW'S GREED; HE SUFFERED UNDER WAR-CRIMINAL TAGLIABUE, AND NOW GOODELL--- AND YET HE MADE SOMETHING POSITIVE OUT OF HIS LIFE!!!
ANDERS BOYD BEATS NFL -once cast off for homelessness and despair as a grade school child, growing up in a life without,- all after every doctor the NFL sent his Dad Brent to see had approved the disability claim- Anders Boyd graduated Friday May 9th from the prestigious Nevada Firefighting and Rescue Academy- -all in spite of the NFL and NFLPA's attempts to beat him down.. CONGRATS ANDERS!!! In your face Gene and Roger!!! Your power and corruption can't keep good people down, that's why Anders survived- THAT'S WHY THE THOUSANDS OF NFL RETIREES ARE RISING UP AGAINST YOU!!!
Aug 8, 2008 Anders Boyd rescued from wildfire by Nat'l Guard BLACKHAWK copter from CALFIRE and other official Fire agencies: from http://yubanet.com/fire.php The Panther fire is located 15 miles south of Happy Camp, CA.
my son Anders begins his new career- shown in Reno Gazette-Journal. thanks everybody for your support Brent RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL Timber C |
