Someone finally speakup against Upshaw
For the past several years Gene Upshaw has been the undisputed king as National Football League Players Association president. However, someone finally spoke up againts Upshaw, and that person is former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka.
For months now a war has been brewing between retired players, and current executives among the NFLPA. Upshaw has been specifically the target of the former players.
Their main reason for being so angry. Simple some of the retired players who retired previous to 1982 are living in poverty. Yes, I did not make a typo. Some players are living in poverty and also some others have so many medical bills they cannot pay them.
The problem is that the pension benefits that they receiver are nothing. They could make more working for a Domino’s Pizza than what they get from their pension. For example Joe Delamielleure, the hall of fame guard, has stated on WGR that he receivers about 1,200.00 dollars a month. Players in baseball receive about ten times that amount.
Why is it that former players receive so little. Simple Upshaw and former NFL commisioner Paul Tagliabue never have even addressed the issue. You think that Upshaw would listen to his fellow constituents, since Upshaw played in the NFL himself.
Whatever Upshaw’s reasons are for not addressing the issue. Ditka and many other former players are ticked off. With Ditka going on a radio station stating that Upshaw took out an illegal loan you can expect congress to step in now.
You better be looking over your shoulder Upshaw, because an angry mob is coming after you. That mob is a angry bunch of former player that deserve way better pension benefits. After all they are the ones that paid the price and made the game great and as big as it is today.
So, Upshaw put your money where you mouth is and pay them.