Former Players Message March 4, 2011

March 4, 2011

We have had 10 days of mediation, and the CBA expiration deadline has been extended twice; once for 24 hours, and again for seven days. Former Players Board of Directors Chairman Cornelius Bennett, and Board of Director Jim McFarland have been in every mediation session advocating for the Legacy Fund, increased benefits, and pensions for all former players. Never have we had such a strong voice for former player issues at the bargaining table. As you know, this is the result of a unanimous vote by the Current Players Board of Representatives at the meetings in March of last year. We are now seeing the results of that vote, and I could not be more proud. We are truly one voice, one locker room, and one team. As you might also know, we won the television revenue case. Judge Doty on Tuesday reversed the previous ruling so that the NFL, as of today, cannot use those funds until they have a hearing to decide whether it will go into escrow or another remedy. The most important part is that the $4 billion cannot be used against us in the current CBA negotiations.

We held three national conference calls with our former players on Wednesday and Thursday of this week to make sure that everyone was up to speed on the issues surrounding the current CBA negotiations. We had unprecedented participation, and I anticipate more conference calls to keep you all updated and informed as we move forward in this process. One of the main issues we discussed was continuing the veterans' five year medical care benefit ending August 31, 2011. We should advocate that Commissioner Goodell state, both publicly and in writing, that he will not end those benefits that those vested players have earned. I've spoken to the NFL Alumni Association, to their credit, say that they will publicly support our position. Additionally, keep those petitions coming in for the Legacy Fund.

As you know, right now, solidarity is the key. Anything you see and read out there that is divisive and not inclusive of all players serves only one purpose - to undermine our goals of increasing the quality of life for all players.

One Team,

Nolan Harrison III
Senior Director
NFLPA Former Player Services