NFL Players Rights - National Press Club Forum 0900-1000
NFL PLAYERS' RIGHTS
Gridiron Greats Press forum prior to hearing with retired players
and family members on NFL disability benefits system
NFL PLAYERS' RIGHTS: GRIDIRON GREATS PRESS FORUM PRIOR TO HEARING WITH RETIRED PLAYERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ON NFL DISABILITY BENEFITS SYSTEM
RS9/X80/Slugged: 0900 NFL RIGHTS PRESS CLUB X80 & 1030 NFL PRESSER X80
PARTICIPANTS:
MIKE DITKA, Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund Board Member
SANDY UNITAS, widow of Johnny Unitas
GARRETT WEBSTER son of HOF Center Mike Webster
SAM HUFF, Pro Football Hall of Fame
JOE DELAMIELLEURE, Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund Board Member
MERCURY MORRIS, Legendary Miami Dolphin
WILLIE WOOD, former Green Bay Packer /dire need player.
BRENT BOYD, dire need player/ participant in congressional hearing,
MIKE MOSLEY former Buffalo Bill/dire need player
BRIAN DEMARCO, former Jacksonville Jaguar/dire need player
BERNIE PARISH, former Cleveland Brown, President of Retired Players for Justice
BRUCE LAIRD, former Baltimore Colt and Treasurer of Fourth and Goal,
players advocacy group.
SID WILLIAMS, Former Cleveland Brown
TAPE 1
09:18:52 Mike Ditka: Thank you for coming.
09:19:47 never changing role. He was once the face of the national football league.
09:20:46 Sandy Unitas: but if it's just a want, you don't bring it up.
09:20:55 not talking about want, it's a desperate need. First of John's champion, almost 50 years ago.
09:21:16 start of modern NFL, championship game. Coles beat Giants.
09:22:20 named valuable player. His right hand most famous in the country. Golden arm.
09:23:36 lose all control of right hand. He could not button his shirt, cut his own meat, life any heavy object over 8 ounces.
09:24:12 my husband helped make NFL what it is today. Beloved by many fans.
09:24:47 bitter at the end, not the right word. He was hurt.
09:26:00 talk is cheap, let's do it the right way.
09:27:45 he knew of so many teammates who needed help. Thank you.
09:29:47 GARRETT(SON OF MIKE WEBSTER): Stories of him running, lifting weights, never satisfied. When my father died, cold alone on the floor no family, few friends, addicted to painkillers. He was so bad, dropped pounds, crying.
09:30:46 Suicide, he couldn't' function enough to kill himself.
09:31:04 families watching die. When he woke up, he popped so much Ritlin to think.
09:31:27 it's not a pretty sight. Dad smells horrible. Did he go to the bathroom in pants, that's how they died. Best lineman in NFL.
09:31:50 He didn't cheap shot anybody, died alone.
09:32:05 for food, we had to rely on one of our friends. That's my concern for the families. For the families it's horrible. Nothing anybody should go through.
09:33:11 BRENT BOYD(FMR. NFL PLAYER): Thank Garrett Webster. Homeless, cut myself off from teammates, family. Describing dad's last days. He was too ashamed, mental condition, financial condition and hid under a blanket for years.
09:34:21 added shame and pain that is added by the way NFL treats us.
09:35:24 who you heard about, most of the guys in NFL are guys like me. We're hurting just as bad. Widespread problem. Shameful. To deny rightful benefits.
09:36:02 ts media
09:36:08 JOE DELAMIELLEURE, help guys get immediate help. Donnie Green in homeless. We'd meet down the lobby. Just enjoyed football. Jim Ringo for 7-8 years.
09:36:53 those are famous players. Reality is. We gotta make a difference.
09:37:10 they don't need to do this. Right thing to do. Glad I can help in any shape or form.
09:37:45 BRIAN DEMARCO:
(DROPPED OFF)
09:45:54 Seated crying, ts
09:47:13 Another NFL player
09:47:59 I went and bought a house, daughter 14. Bought house, cars, and they called me in 2004 they're going to cut disability completely. No warning, nothing to save my house, truck, losing everything.
09:48:38 lucky enough my mom had a house, Kind enough to stay there.
09:49:52 had zero income, ran out of money.
09:50:15 I can't be a man around my daughter(teary) Less of a man for it. I don't want to ask for anything for free.
09:52:35 (BAD AUDIO)When you apply for benefit, they told me to fill out this application. Did you look down at the bottom.
09:53:02 I just followed what they told me to do. On your retirement benefit, I understand.
09:53:48 waiting for integrity to show up.
09:54:06 false agreement, responsibility or pledge. Thought they were operating under that integrity. When he died, before he passed, they did a piece HBO.
09:54:39 He had to report something, he couldn't do this. NFL said, why do you want to do a thing on him? Washed up old man? Disrespect.
09:55:03 we can do this to anybody.
09:55:42 First of all, explain 2 reason why Johnny is not eligible. First he's already receiving retirement benefits. Had they had some integrity they would've known, you don't have to fill out this retirement, what you want.
09:56:17 Instant he signed, no longer eligible. HBO did a piece, only used 25-30 seconds of the interview, I was able to get the entire strip.
09:56:51 you can't get both, the disability payment would be same retirement already getting. Half truth already lied. Eligible for supplemental program.
09:57:26 not a bad guy. The truth players in worse condition in Unitas, successful businessman. Players worse than him, who didn't have financial success on/off field.
09:58:10 Why can't NFL take care of these guys? They are taking care, they're just taking care in a different sort of benefit structure. I think it's only natural, great contribution to feel he should get more money.that's not how the system works.
09:59:21 we've seen some adjustments, answer is still no. No disability increase, there is nothing. That's what they did to John Unitas, they'll do to anybody.
09:59:42 Small article in Philadelphia Inquirer. Wayne Moore.
10:01:01 I'll give you facts.
10:01:29 You have generated a hundred 3700 papers I have compiled.these subjects, disability plan.