April 15, 2011
CLASS ACTION Quote from Mark Murphy, President and CEO of the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers February 24, 2011 Murphy: You know, right now our current players if they're vested, and you vest if you play
three or more seasons, you get health insurance coverage for five years, which is great. But
I look at it, too, and the transition for players from playing in the NFL to finding another
career and establishing themselves is very difficult, and I really wonder, sometimes, if we
do too much for the players. They've got severance pay and a 401(k) plan. I guess what I'm
saying is that sometimes it's not all bad, and going back and talking to some of the players
who played for Lombardi in the '60s - you know, they worked in the off-seasons, and they
made a very smooth transition into their second careers because they had to. And so I'm a
little worried that if we do too much for players in terms of compensation after their
career's end, and health insurance - it's not all bad to have an incentive to get a job. And,
so those are just some of the things we’re thinking through and talking through. Click to view the article. Back to top
Former Player DC Chapter President Ray Schoenke Speaks Out I recognize that as Former Pre-93 NFL Players, we do not always agree on everything, but we
do agree on some things. What we all agree on is to improve the health and financial welfare
of all former NFL Players particularly our generation. After the 2006 CBA, Bruce Laird and I
discussed how we were going to go forward since we were both dissatisfied with the treatment
and benefit structure that former players were receiving by the NFLPA. I told Bruce I was
going to stay under the NFLPA tent for a period of time and try to create change within the
system. I told him, the power to negotiate still rests with the NFLPA and I choose to stay.
Bruce, on the other hand, said he was going to try to create a new entity. I wish him well
and encourage him. While Bruce and I had some very strong disagreements I respect his tenacity
and resolve in trying to get things done. With the unexpected death of Gene Upshaw everything
changed dramatically. It was fortuitous that I knew De before he became Executive Director of the NFLPA. I was very
close to the principal partner at De's former law firm, which is one the most respected law
firms in the country, and asked him for his opinion of De. He said he was a smart and a tough
litigator and when you went into court you wanted him on your side. I was very pleased when De
got the job. He told me to be patient. He would settle the lawsuit and former players would
get representation on the Executive Committee. I might add that Gene Upshaw and Troy Vincent
said point blank to me "we would never have representation on the Executive Committee." De
delivered on both points. Prior to the 2010 convention, De and I talked about the Legacy fund
and its importance to Pre-93'ers and his support for such a Fund. At the 2010 NFLPA
Convention I proposed a Legacy Fund for all vested pre-93 Former Players of $2000 a month to
be paid by the Owners. The motion was carried unanimously. Since then the Legacy Fund has
continued to be of great interest to all Pre-93'ers. As the current CBA is winding its way through the negotiations both the owners and the active
players have been responsive to supporting the concept of the Fund. What has been difficult is
understanding the proposals that have been put forward by those outside the negotiating
parties. The good news both sides at the table feel it is appropriate and justifiable. The
question is how much will be set aside, what kind of benefits will finally be determined and
who amongst the pre-93'ers will be eligible. While I would like to comment on what I think is
appropriate for us to consider at this time, I do feel all of us, as Former NFL Players
regardless of our affiliation, our first commitment should be to our negotiating team and its
leader. We are deep into the game. Our team is on the field. Our leader has determined that
pursuing an outcome through the court system is the best approach to win the game. I
appreciate the comments made by Bruce Laird, Jeff Nixon, Joe DeLamielleure and Mark Murphy and
Jerry Richardson for the owners. All as former pre-93 players certainly have an appreciation
of our situation. On the other hand if I were in a poker game and my opponent refused to show
me his cards and told me to "trust him as to what was in his hands," I think we would all
agree that such a scenario is ludicrous. Yet that is what the owners our asking. Trust us. De
said, "Good luck but we'll see you in court." We have a great litigator as our leader and we
need to back him. The power to negotiate still rests with the NFLPA. I feel very confident an agreement will be reached and both sides will determine how much
money will be set aside for the Legacy Fund. At that time we need the right people at the
table ready to negotiate on our behalf. I feel very confident with Cornelius, Nolan, and Jim
representing our interests. I have spent a lot of time with Jim in his efforts to be elected
to the Executive Committee. I found him to be knowledgeable, accessible, and responsive. I am
confident they will reach out to all of us when the time comes. Respectfully, Ray Schoenke Dallas Cowboys 1963-1964
Washington Redskins 1966-1975 Back to top
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS University of Michigan Depression Center The University of Michigan Depression Center has partnered with the NFLPA to provide a
comprehensive mood and behavioral evaluation. The assessment will generate a personalized
treatment plan with recommendations that incorporate the past and current lifestyle of
the player and family. The Program includes a year-long follow up by specialists, which
will be coordinated with local physicians, care providers and family, thereby helping to
assure that progress is monitored and that any necessary adjustments are timely.
Pre-arranged services include: an initial assessment done over the phone by a qualified
nurse or social worker, a pre-visit phone call with a doctor, and if necessary a scheduled
day of care at the University of Michigan Depression Center. This is a need based program. If you would like to know more please email Andre Collins
(andre.collins@nflplayers.com)
or Tyrone Allen (tyrone.allen@nflplayers.com).
By phone, call us at 1-800-372-2000 ext. 166. Back to top
VQ OrthoCare® Offers NFLPA Former Player Members the Opportunity to Live Without Knee Pain Medical device company offers a special discount program on BioniCare, the only
device that can claim to provide an overall improvement to an osteoarthritic knee VQ OrthoCare®, creator of the award-winning BioniCare® Knee System, is pleased to announce its
BioniCare member discount program for National Football League Players Association (NFPLA)
former player members and their families. VQ OrthoCare initiated this discount program based
on the need for a non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical treatment option for retired professional
athletes living with osteoarthritis of the knee. Professional athletes move their knees up to
20 million times per year. In contrast, the average person uses their knees only three million
times per year. The constant knee movements wear down the knee joints, increasing the risk of
osteoarthritis of the knee (Overtime Magazine, 2007). In conjunction with the BioniCare member
discount program, VQ OrthoCare is also offering a financial aid program for former player members
needing assistance. "More than 27 million Americans are living with osteoarthritis of the knee
and National Football League players are three times more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the
knee than the general population," said VQ OrthoCare president and founder, Jim Knape. "We are
thrilled to be offering former player members of the NFLPA and their families the opportunity to
utilize this life-changing treatment option that will enable them to live pain free and regain
their active lifestyles." Back to top
GotProHealth NFLPA Member Discount Program GotProHealth has launched a new member discount program as part of the NFL Players
Association's (NFLPA) member discount programs. GotProHealth will help educate players and
their families on the use of complementary and natural medicine. GotProHealth is also developing
a national network of qualified and licensed professionals in the field of complementary medicine
so that players will have access to experienced practitioners around the country. "This endeavor
has tremendous potential to change the way professional athletes and their families think about
getting and staying healthy," says Amy Lewis, CEO, and licensed acupuncturist. Complementary medicine includes modalities such as acupuncture, massage therapy and body work,
herbal medicine, energy work, chiropractic, and naturopathic medicine. Ken Jenkins, President, and
a former NFL running back, knows firsthand how important complementary medicine can be on and off
the field. "I suffered many injuries during my career. I used acupuncture, massage therapy, and
chiropractic regularly during my career and it helped me recover. Even now – off the field – I
continue treatments to maintain my overall health." Jenkins adds, "Our job is to provide legitimate
and accurate information about complementary medicine and to make qualified professionals easily
accessible." Back to top
HEALTH Power up your workouts: It's workout season -- here are some high-tech suggestions to
facilitate your fitness plans By Eric Gwinn Apr. 13, 2011 (McClatchy-Tribune News Service delivered by Newstex) -- Looking to energize
your workouts with some high-tech-gear? We're here to help. Click to view the article. Back to top
Deciding to exercise is the first step. The second? Enlisting your brain from: The Dallas Morning News, April 12, 2011 "In order to understand exercise motivation, it's important to understand where a person is in
terms of change," says Carla Sottovia, director of fitness and personal training exercise for
the Cooper Fitness Center. "For any change to occur, the person has to be ready emotionally and
physically. It has to come from within." Click to view the article. Back to top
NEWS Meanest Budget Cuts From heating for the poor to removing unexploded landmines, the budget compromise takes the ax
to some very worthy programs. Click to view the article. Back to top
BUSINESS Money 101 Lesson One: Setting Priorities 1. Narrow your objectives. You probably won't be able to achieve every financial goal you've ever dreamed of. So identify
your goals clearly and why they matter to you, and decide which are most important. By
concentrating your efforts, you have a better chance of achieving what matters most. 2. Focus first on the goals that matter. To accomplish primary goals, you will often need to put desirable but less important ones on
the back burner. Click to view the article. Back to top
|
Nice tie Nolan. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteMarkus
Thanks brother
ReplyDelete