Upshaw Defends Pension Plan
MIAMI--NFL Players Association officials defended the league's pension plan for retired players today after a group of former players attacked the plan as insufficient.
"What we're hearing is, "It's not enough. We should give more. It should be the same for the active players and the retired players,' " union chief Gene Upshaw said. "That's never going to happen.... We do what we can do. We will continue to do what we must do, and we have not turned our back on anyone."
Upshaw's comments came after a group of retired players headed by former Green Bay Packers guard Jerry Kramer announced earlier in the day that it was conducting an online auction to raise money for needy former NFL players.
"These guys are proud," said former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka, who is involved in the project. "They don't want to beg, and the money is there. They gave us a lot of enjoyment over the years. I think it's worth helping them, I really do. These guys gave their all and they didn't get a lot for it.... It's time to right a wrong that's existed for a long time."
Upshaw said the league's pension plan pays out $60 million annually.
By Mark Maske |
February 1, 2007; 6:47 PM ET
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Posted by: Jawja | February 2, 2007 9:32 AM
I think most of the present players would agree to a sizable increase in present NFL pension payouts to retirees. The problem is, this issue is like health care in that it is mired in stump politics and is dealt with at the conclusion of money talks between owners and players. The message to former players: Your moment of fame and influence is over so please just suffer in silence and die a painful,broke death. My Dad, Jim Norton, played for the Houston Oilers from 1960-69.
Posted by: james norton | February 9, 2007 2:01 PM
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They helped build the league into the mega ATM machine it is today, so why not share more of the wealth. I guess Bryant Gumbel was the right. The NFL does have Gene Upshaw at the end of a leash.