NFLPA Former Player Message May 18, 2012
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May 18, 2012
NEWS
Petition in Support of the Widows and Survivors
Our leadership has been working very hard on the widows and survivors issue. It was determined by the Chapter
Presidents and the Board of Directors that we would send out a petition in support of the letter that our chairman
Cornelius Bennett sent to John Mara, the head of the NFL Executive Committee. A link to the petition is below. The
misleading offer from the NFL to pay for 51% of the Legacy for the widows and survivors is just that, misleading.
The proposal from the NFL will use ALL player fine money, and in addition that fine money is earmarked for
benefits like the PAT Fund and Former Player Life Improvement Plan. the NFL CAN'T EVEN ACCOUNT FOR THE FINE MONEY
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO PAY OUT FROM THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. We have asked for an accounting of this fine money. We
are not going to fall for this old trick of trying to turn our own against us. The teams CAN AND SHOULD pay the
paltry $437,500 one time payment. They are still making millions from the Legacy of our fallen brothers. It is
their obligation as former employers and as the current beneficiaries of the revenue generated from these men.
Please sign this petition in support of the widows and survivors.
Please make sure that we are looking out for each other. While as we have heard from numerous witness accounts in
the press over the last couple of weeks there are not always obvious signs of depression, we can still provide a
sounding board and a safe haven for our brothers. Additionally, looking out for other aspects of our brother's
health and well-being is equally as important. Whether it is in our chapter meetings that are productive and
provide a resource to help in re-creating the safe locker room for our members, the community service projects, or
other touch points we should all proactively reach out to our former teammates just to check in. Even if they
don't respond, knowing that you are there, and that you care, has to have a positive affect. That is just my gut,
non-scientific opinion, but it could not hurt for each one of us to give it a try.
Best Regards,
NFLPA Former Players
Click to download the petition.
Huddle Up
While there are many of our brothers who are enjoying their legacy benefits I know that there is some confusion
out there in reference to the legacy payments and the delay for some who qualify. Most of the straightforward
legacy payments for those who qualify and have turned in their paperwork have been, or are in the process of
being, paid out. Players with divorce issues (QDRO) tax issues or disability issues are going to be the last to be
paid out according to the plan office. If you have any questions about your individual legacy payments please call
our benefits office at 800-372-2000 or email them at
nflpabenefits@nflplayers.com.
Please make sure that we are looking out for each other. While as we have heard from numerous witness accounts in
the press over the last couple of weeks there are not always obvious signs of depression, we can still provide a
sounding board and a safe haven for our brothers. Additionally, looking out for other aspects of our brother's
health and well-being is equally as important. Whether it is in our chapter meetings that are productive and
provide a resource to help in re-creating the safe locker room for our members, the community service projects, or
other touch points we should all proactively reach out to our former teammates just to check in. Even if they
don't respond, knowing that you are there, and that you care, has to have a positive affect. That is just my gut,
non-scientific opinion, but it could not hurt for each one of us to give it a try.
One Team
Nolan Harrison III
Senior Director
Tom DePaso Named NFLPA General Counsel
Today, the NFL Players Association announced that Tom DePaso has been named the organization's General Counsel,
effective immediately. Richard Berthelsen announced he would be retiring from the post at the annual Player
Representative meetings in March with the intent to transition to a senior consulting role after 40 years of
service with the NFLPA.
"The players of the NFL knew they had an advocate who would fight for them while Richard Berthelsen served as the
NFLPA's general counsel," said DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA Executive Director. "Today, they can be confident that Tom
DePaso will continue protecting and defending their rights long into the future."
DePaso has been on staff with the NFLPA legal team since 1984, most recently serving as Associate General
Counsel. DePaso's responsibilities have included representing players in collective bargaining negotiations,
representing players in grievance hearings, serving on the CBA's Salary Cap Committee, and writing and enforcing
agent regulations.
DePaso comes into the role with the unique experience of also being a former player. After graduating from Penn
State with a degree in accounting, he played linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1978-1979. For a majority
of his career at the NFLPA, DePaso also held the position of Regional Director, serving as the NFLPA advisor to
players on designated teams in the NFL.
DePaso earned his law degree from Catholic University and is an adjunct professor teaching Sports and the Law at
Georgetown University in the Masters Sports Industry program and at the George Washington University Law School.
Touchdown for Homes in Seattle
YouthCare's Straley House, a home for youth in Seattle who previously lived on the streets or were victims of
abuse, received a new courtyard thanks to the Master Builders Care Foundation and the National Football League
Players Association (NFLPA) Seattle former players chapter.
Former NFL players Sam McCullum (Seahawks 1976-81) and Nesby Glasgow (Seahawks 1988-92) helped volunteer builder
captain Pacific Landscape Management and members of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
with construction of the courtyard.
"We are so grateful for the support the Seattle community gave us during our playing careers," said Glasgow. "It
is the least we can do to help provide these young people with a safe comfortable gathering space that feels like
a real home as they work to get back on their feet."
Click to read the article.
HEALTH
Exercising the Body, Using the Brain May Ward Off Alzheimer's Disease
Physical activity may keep plaques from forming
Lifelong habits of exercising regularly and staying mentally active may protect the brain from Alzheimer's
disease, two new studies suggest.
In one study, scientists found that a history of exercise seemed to fend off brain damage in people who carry a
gene that is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's. A second study concluded that people who keep their minds
active throughout their lives have lower amounts of a protein that forms the beta amyloid plaques, which are a
hallmark of the disease.
The exercise study focused on 163 adults, ages 45 to 88, who showed no obvious signs of dementia. They were asked
to fill out a questionnaire to measure how much they had walked, run or jogged in the last 10 years.
Click to read the article.
Who Needs Vaccines? Everyone - Including You
Here are details on the ones to get, the ones to skip
If the word "vaccination" evokes images of childhood, it may be time to raise the subject with your doctor. It's
not just kid stuff: All adults - including those age 50 and older - need vaccines. And some of the adult vaccine
recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have changed recently. So even if
you think you've been keeping up with your vaccines, you'll want to review the CDC's list of vaccine
recommendations.
Click to read the article.
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