Friday, June 8, 2012

NFLPA Former Player Message June 8, 2012



June 8, 2012

HEALTH

Mental Health: What's Normal, What's Not

Understanding what's considered normal mental health can be tricky. See how feelings, thoughts and behaviors determine mental health and how to recognize if you or a loved one needs help.
What's the difference between mental health and mental illness? Sometimes the answer seems clear. For instance, a person who hears voices in his or her head could have schizophrenia. A person who goes on a frenzied shopping spree or starts an ambitious project - such as remodeling the bathroom - without any plans might be having a manic episode caused by bipolar disorder.
In some cases, however, the distinction between mental health and mental illness isn't so obvious. If you're afraid of giving a speech in public, does it mean you have a mental health condition or a run-of-the-mill case of nerves? If you feel sad and discouraged, do you have the blues, or is it full-fledged depression?
Here's help understanding how mental health conditions are identified.
Click to read the article.

5 Barriers to Mindful Eating

by Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD
Fries
I am a big fan of a mindful eating approach. One in which you listen to feelings of hunger and fullness, detach from outside messages about food, and give food your full attention while eating. But after finishing the writing of my first book, I experienced barriers that encouraged the opposite: mindless eating.
I think this happens to a lot of people - they try to eat mindfully only to find it doesn't pan out. Instead of blaming the approach, you might want to consider the barriers that can get in the way.
1. Too Much Stress: A little stress is good, but when it gets to be too much, it can impact how we eat. As I've written before, stress is associated with excess weight. For me, the intense stress I was feeling was short term, and I knew that once I turned in the manuscript I could get back to the way things were. But I found myself rushing through meals and eating to distract myself from all I had to do.
Click to read the article.

Dental Tip of the Week

Avoid soda. Sodas, sweetened and unsweetened, are acidic and promote tooth decay.
Dr. Jerry Gordon directs the Former NFL Player Dental Discount Program. The program is a member discount program. To learn more, please call the NFL Players Association at 800.372.2000 ext. 167.
The Dental Comfort Zone
2734 Street Rd. | Bensalem, PA, 19020 | 215.639.0571

BUSINESS

Five Tips for Your First Job

by John Coleman
Now that final exams and spring commencement celebrations have passed, thousands of college students and fresh graduates will head off for their first internships or full-time jobs. If you're one of them, you're lucky. Recent statistics indicate that one in two new college graduates are unemployed or underemployed. And while many of you will have had part-time jobs, this new position can be an incredible learning experience and a stepping stone for your long-term career.
But it's also a struggle. For some of you, it may be your first experience in a business environment. I remember feeling lost in my first few experiences after college (we all do). Surrounded by so much new information, I constantly felt like I was falling behind my more experienced colleagues. I didn't know who to look to for advice, and I never felt like I was doing my job well enough.
Click to read the article.

Starting a Business

Score
Dreaming about starting your own business but aren't sure how? You aren't alone in feeling unsure about how to take the first step. SCORE provides you with an array of educational workshops, events, templates, articles, and other resources will help you take the first crucial steps toward small business success.
Click to learn more.

TECHNOLOGY

The Beginner's Guide to Twitter

Do you have a parent, friend or colleague ready to ditch his or her digital training wheels and head into Twitter's open wilderness? These pointers should get them started. And even Twitter experts might benefit from a quick refresher on the platform's valuable tools.
First, the basics: What is Twitter all about?
It's a platform wherein users share their thoughts, news, information and jokes in 140 characters of text or less. Twitter makes global communication cheap and measurable. Profiles are (usually) public - anyone in the world can see what you write, unless you elect to make your profile private. Users "follow" each other in order to keep tabs on and converse with specific people.
On Twitter, following someone is not necessarily an admission of friendship, but nonetheless affords interaction and conversation - at least in short bursts.
The first step is to understand and master the vernacular. There are certain words and jargon native to Twitter that you may already have heard in passing. These terms and their abbreviations (in parentheses) are essential for understanding the network.
  • Tweet: A 140-character message.
  • Retweet (RT): Re-sharing or giving credit to someone else’s tweet.
  • Feed: The stream of tweets you see on your homepage. It's comprised of updates from users you follow.
  • Handle: Your username.
  • Mention (@): A way to reference another user by his username in a tweet (e.g. @mashable). Users are notified when @mentioned. It's a way to conduct discussions with other users in a public realm.
  • Direct Message (DM): A private, 140-character message between two people. You may only DM a user who follows you.
  • Hashtag (#): A way to denote a topic of conversation or participate in a larger linked discussion (e.g. #AmericanIdol, #Obama). A hashtag is a discovery tool that allows others to find your tweets, based on topics. You can also click on a hashtag to see all the tweets that mention it in real time - even from people you don't follow.
Twitter has a great online glossary that you can refer back to, should you get mired in a vocab morass.
Read on for the Twitter basics, but remember that Twitter is an experience. The more you use it, the more enjoyable and resourceful it will become. We hope you stick with it, as it can pay dividends in great conversation and personal connections with people around the world.
Click for the Twitter glossary.

Friday, June 1, 2012

NFLPA Former Player Message June 1, 2012

June 1, 2012

NEWS

U.S. District Judge Dismisses Eller v. NFLPA

In the last month two cases against the NFLPA brought by former players (Grant v. NFLPA and Eller v. NFLPA) have been won by the NFLPA. As this nonsense is now behind us hopefully we can all continue to come together as One Team and support the bond that ties us all together.
Acknowledging significant gains made for former players in the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson dismissed Eller v. NFL Players Association yesterday in Minneapolis.
In the order, Nelson wrote, "(T)here can be no dispute that a better package of benefits was in fact obtained for the retired players in the 2011 CBA as compared to those in the former CBA. No jury could reasonably find that the active players did not do better by the retired players in the 2011 CBA."
"We are pleased with the decision by the court yesterday, which affirms the NFLPA's tireless commitment to supporting all former NFL players. We will continue our work to unite every member of the former player community, because when we stand together with a common agenda based on common principles, we can better protect our rights and advance our interests," said Cornelius Bennett, Chairman of the NFLPA Former Players Board of Directors.
Click to read the entire decision.
Click to read the article.

This Month in Our Labor History

NFLPA Former Players June 1993 - 40% increase in the monthly benefit for Bert Bell participants (Pre 59ers Not Yet in Bert Bell Plan).
June 1994 - pre-59ers included in Bert Bell pension plan adding 906 players to the plan.
June 1995 - World War II years included for vesting, increasing credited seasons for 159 players.
June 2006 - Benefit credit amounts increased for all current and retired players, 25% for players prior to 1982 and 10% for post 1982.

HEALTH

The Benefits of Union

Union Plus The Union Plus Health Club Discounts Difference:
Real savings: Union members can save 40% - 60% on initiation fees and 15% - 30% on monthly fees. Check online on the GlobalFit site for union members or call 1-800-294-1500.
Guarantee: GlobalFit guarantees you will always save at the gym. If a health club offers you a lower fee than the GlobalFit rate, they will beat the gym offer by 5% - guaranteed.
Flexibility: Ability to transfer memberships between health clubs*, get free guest passes when traveling, and freeze membership for up to 6 months.
Unique program: GlobalFit, the provider for Union Plus Health Club Discounts, has the largest network offering discounts at more than 8,000 health clubs nationwide, including Curves, Sport & Health, and Bally’s Total Fitness.
Click to read the article.

Eat to Lower Your Risk of Dementia

You can help keep your brain healthy with these 6 foods — plus a dose of sunshine
AARP
The food you eat may have a lot to do with the health of your brain as you age, according to the latest nutritional research.
People in their late 80s with higher blood levels of B, C, D and E vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids (found in good fats) did better on cognitive tests and had less of the brain shrinkage typical of Alzheimer's disease, according to a recent study led by Gene Bowman, a scientist at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland.
Click to read the article.

Cognitive Therapy for Depression

Are your thoughts dragging you down?
WebMD
Almost everyone has dark thoughts when his or her mood is bad. With depression, though, the thoughts can be extremely negative. They can also take over and distort your view of reality.
Cognitive therapy can be an effective way to defuse those thoughts. When used for depression, cognitive therapy provides a mental tool kit that can be used to challenge negative thoughts. Over the long term, cognitive therapy for depression can change the way a depressed person sees the world.
Click to read the article.

6 Marriage Mistakes for Men

Despite the best intentions, these habits may undermine your relationship.
WebMD
Men, we don't mean to nag, but you may be making mistakes that risk ruining your marriage. In fact, if you are a typical man, you are likely making several, and making them often.
Don't believe us? Ask your wife. Now, before you get all defensive, this isn't about blame. These aren't ridiculous relationship mistakes -- they're the subtle things that you might not even know you're doing. And changing these habits could make a big difference to your wife -- and that can only be good for you.
Recognizing these mistakes and making efforts to correct them will not only help your marriage, it may also help your health -- and that of your spouse.
Over time, negative feelings in a relationship that aren't addressed can lead to physical and psychological problems, says Silver Spring, Md.-based psychologist Gloria Vanderhorst, PhD.
Click to read the article.

BUSINESS

Starting a Business

Score
Dreaming about starting your own business but aren't sure how? You aren't alone in feeling unsure about how to take the first step. SCORE provides you with an array of educational workshops, events, templates, articles, and other resources will help you take the first crucial steps toward small business success.
Click to learn more.

University of Phoenix

Gentlemen,
We are pleased to announce that the NFLPA Scholarship Program with the University of Phoenix is back! There have been several changes made to the program so please click on the link below for details. Five full-scholarships (Bachelors or Masters) will be awarded to former players this year. If you are interested in applying please visit www.phoenix.edu/nflpascholar and complete the application by June 12, 2012.

Friday, May 18, 2012



NFLPA Former Player Message May 18, 2012

May 18, 2012

NEWS

Petition in Support of the Widows and Survivors

NFLPA Former Players 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

Tom DePaso
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

NFLPA Former Players 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.
Touchdown for Homes in Seattle
"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
AARP
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
AARP
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.