New Issue From Former HoF Inductees

[King Colt]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24720441/hall-famers-threaten-boycott-induction-ceremony-nfl-provides-health-insurance-annual-salaries

Sample of the full letter is below:

In a letter sent to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame C. David Baker on Tuesday, many high-profile Pro Football Hall of Famers said they would not attend the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony until Hall of Famers receive health insurance and an annual salary that includes a share of league revenue.

The letter, obtained by ESPN, was sent by Eric Dickerson, the chairman of the newly created Hall of Fame Board, and signed by board members Marcus Allen, Mel Blount, Derrick Brooks, Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, Richard Dent, Carl Eller, Marshall Faulk, Mike Haynes, Rickey Jackson, Ronnie Lott, Curtis Martin, Joe Namath, John Randle, Jerry Rice, Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, Jackie Smith, Lawrence Taylor, Kurt Warner and Sarah White, Reggie White's widow.

[coltsva]

From this article, it appears that they’re okay that the non Hall of Famers that helped build the league get nothing, as long as they get their piece of the pie. Nice.

 

 

[Luck 4 president]

Ya this is stupid. Who cares if they don’t attend? Nobody watches that ceremony anyways lol. I do agree with players should receive health care for life kinda like the MLB, but not a salary. 

[King Colt]

Most went to college for free and we all know they don't have to study to get through. They all earned a good chunk of money. What did they do to support themselves after football is my question. A salary? No way. Also, why now? What brings this to the forefront now in 2018? 

[NewColtsFan]

2 hours ago, coltsva said:

From this article, it appears that they’re okay that the non Hall of Famers that helped build the league get nothing, as long as they get their piece of the pie. Nice.

 

 

 

If you think that then you didn’t read the article.

 

Dickerson literally says their goal is to get EVEYONE health benefits and better pension.    All players.

 

He says they’re doing it thus way to build a power base do they can eventually have leverage and get improved benefits for all...

 

Take another look...   it’s there.

[Luck 4 president]

8 minutes ago, King Colt said:

Most went to college for free and we all know they don't have to study to get through. They all earned a good chunk of money. What did they do to support themselves after football is my question. A salary? No way. Also, why now? What brings this to the forefront now in 2018? 

It’s 2018. Everybody feels entitled. It’s not surprising due to the fact that most professional football players are bankrupt within 5 years of retiring. They’re not the smartest with money and are looking for more ways to get money without actually doing anything. So who do they expect to pay their salaries? The owners who are already paying $200M-300m per year to the current players and staff?

[coltsva]

1 hour ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

If you think that then you didn’t read the article.

 

Dickerson literally says their goal is to get EVEYONE health benefits and better pension.    All players.

 

He says they’re doing it thus way to build a power base do they can eventually have leverage and get improved benefits for all...

 

Take another look...   it’s there.

I read the article, but will read it again as you suggest. 

[NewColtsFan]

4 minutes ago, coltsva said:

I read the article, but will read it again as you suggest. 

 

Keep scrolling down.   It’s toward the bottom of the article.

 

Apologies...    I thought perhaps you had only read the part that was quoted from the OP.

 

[coltsva]

All good. I see that part now. I think either the article or the argument was framed wrong, by starting out “we want this and this for HOFers. “

 

 

 

[Cynjin]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/group-of-hall-of-famers-wants-health-insurance-and-salary-or-will-boycott-future-inductions/

 

I am thinking about doing something similar.  I am going to write to all my former employers to demand healthcare and a salary since I helped them grow to the companies they are today.  Otherwise, I will boycott their products and services.

[Cynjin]

I am thinking about doing something similar.  I am going to write to all my former employers to demand healthcare and a salary since I helped them grow to the companies they are today.  Otherwise, I will boycott their products and services.

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

I agree with Health insurance, the beating they take they should be helped. It is such a small amount for the NFL overall it is good to help players. Pension I want to know the current amount and structure before an opinion on that

[our_dbs_rock]

2 hours ago, Cynjin said:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/group-of-hall-of-famers-wants-health-insurance-and-salary-or-will-boycott-future-inductions/

 

I am thinking about doing something similar.  I am going to write to all my former employers to demand healthcare and a salary since I helped them grow to the companies they are today.  Otherwise, I will boycott their products and services.

 

 

The Waltons have plenty of money, maybe they should start paying former employees also.

[crazycolt1]

Most all of us do not get a retirement unless we take care of that ourselves. I know NFL players careers are short in comparison but the money paid to them in that time is more than most of us see in a lifetime. I can't feel sorry for them if they didn't think about their future when they made the good money. Most all of them had a chance to learn and earn a future outside of football in college but it is them who didn't take the opportunity to do so.

[crazycolt1]

12 hours ago, coltsva said:

All good. I see that part now. I think either the article or the argument was framed wrong, by starting out “we want this and this for HOFers. “

 

 

 

I was thinking the same thing till I re read the whole article.

[NewColtsFan]

6 hours ago, Cynjin said:

I am thinking about doing something similar.  I am going to write to all my former employers to demand healthcare and a salary since I helped them grow to the companies they are today.  Otherwise, I will boycott their products and services.

 

Really?

 

Did all your former companies turn into $14 BILLION dollar a year giants?

 

Yeah,  I didn't think so.....

 

[crazycolt1]

1 hour ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

Really?

 

Did all your former companies turn into $14 BILLION dollar a year giants?

 

Yeah,  I didn't think so.....

 

I worked for one company that 14 billion is chump change worldwide. 

47 tire plants

29 tire related plants

19 raw material plants

89 diversified product plants

worth?= 3.337 trillion dollars

# of employees? - over 183,000 worldwide

 

[Myles]

3 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

Really?

 

Did all your former companies turn into $14 BILLION dollar a year giants?

 

Yeah,  I didn't think so.....

 

That really doesn't matter.  

Eric also claimed to have the signatures and support of players he didn't.   Jerry Rice and Kurt Warner have already said that they do not support this.  

 

What is odd is that they are threatening to boycott the HOF ceremonies.   The HOF is for the players.    The NFL could cancel all ceremonies and it would not affect them at all.    I sure wouldn't care.   Maybe it would get them to do away with a poor HOF game each year.   

 

[Cynjin]

3 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

Really?

 

Did all your former companies turn into $14 BILLION dollar a year giants?

 

Yeah,  I didn't think so.....

 

 

No, not all.  However, two of them are multi-billion dollar companies now and one of them makes almost $50 BILLION dollars a year.  

 

Apparently, you thought wrong.

[Cynjin]

Sorry, I didn't see the other thread.  Please delete.

[NFLfan]

9 hours ago, PuntersArePeopleToo said:

I agree with Health insurance, the beating they take they should be helped.

 

I agree.  Many places of employment offer some sort of health insurance to their retirees. Why should the NFL be different, especially since the employees' (players') jobs involved sacrificing their bodies? Many of these guys would qualify for disability and after two years of disability benefits, they would be covered by Medicare (for anyone over 65 and those receiving disability for 24 months or more). So, the NFL can pay for supplemental insurance which is not too costly. It's not asking a lot. 

 

A pension? I thought they received a pension if they played 4 years or more. Maybe I am wrong.

[Myles]

1 hour ago, Cynjin said:

 

No, not all.  However, two of them are multi-billion dollar companies now and one of them makes almost $50 BILLION dollars a year.  

 

Apparently, you thought wrong.

I worked for Pizza Hut for a couple years when I was younger.  

I would like a piece of their pie now please.   

[Myles]

18 minutes ago, NFLfan said:

 

I agree.  Many places of employment offer some sort of health insurance to their retirees. Why should the NFL be different, especially since the employees' (players') jobs involved sacrificing their bodies? Many of these guys would qualify for disability and after two years of disability benefits, they would be covered by Medicare (for anyone over 65 and those receiving disability for 24 months or more). So, the NFL can pay for supplemental insurance which is not too costly. It's not asking a lot. 

 

 

That is a good question - "Why should the NFL be different?"   

Most businesses DO NOT offer health insurance to their retirees.   They are usually on their own.  

 

I think it would be a good thing if the NFL helped fund a plan that retired players could join if they wanted.  

[coltsva]

19 minutes ago, Myles said:

That is a good question - "Why should the NFL be different?"   

Most businesses DO NOT offer health insurance to their retirees.   They are usually on their own.  

 

I think it would be a good thing if the NFL helped fund a plan that retired players could join if they wanted.  

 

But don't most retirees who were part of a union continue to pay union dues and in turn get coverage under the union insurance plan? 

[Cynjin]

33 minutes ago, Myles said:

I worked for Pizza Hut for a couple years when I was younger.  

I would like a piece of their pie now please.   

 

Absolutely, using Dickerson's logic you deserve it.  I heard this morning he believes $300,000 per year plus health insurance is appropriate.   I am not asking for anywhere near that.  I think $30,000 to $50,000 per year plus health care from each company would be fine.

[Myles]

8 minutes ago, coltsva said:

 

But don't most retirees who were part of a union continue to pay union dues and in turn get coverage under the union insurance plan? 

But that would be the union, not the company necessarily. 

I'm not union, but the plant I'm at is.   I have heard many of them say they can't retire yet because insurance would cost too much.   This from guys 62+ years old.  So maybe their union offers a high priced plan like Cobra is.   

 

I imagine it is different with each union contract.  

6 minutes ago, Cynjin said:

 

Absolutely, using Dickerson's logic you deserve it.  I heard this morning he believes $300,000 per year plus health insurance is appropriate.   I am not asking for anywhere near that.  I think $30,000 to $50,000 per year plus health care from each company would be fine.

I'll settle for $2000 per year and a free pizza.

[coltsva]

13 minutes ago, Myles said:

But that would be the union, not the company necessarily. 

I'm not union, but the plant I'm at is.   I have heard many of them say they can't retire yet because insurance would cost too much.   This from guys 62+ years old.  So maybe their union offers a high priced plan like Cobra is.   

 

 

Right, I wouldn't expect the company to pay for it, but I'd think the union would take care of their own. Compare to MLB players union: 

 MLB players must play 43 days in the majors to earn a minimum $34,000 annual pension plan. Just one day in the majors gets them lifetime healthcare coverage. 

 

 

[NFLfan]

1 hour ago, Myles said:

That is a good question - "Why should the NFL be different?"   

Most businesses DO NOT offer health insurance to their retirees.   They are usually on their own.  

 

I think it would be a good thing if the NFL helped fund a plan that retired players could join if they wanted.  

 

I guess I should feel pretty fortunate. I work in non-profit and part of my retiree package includes medical benefits/health insurancr. I have about 20 more years before retirement but it sure feels good knowing that when I retire I will have medical insurance. 

 

My opinion remains that the NFL should provide health insurance to its former players. You don't have to agree. 

[Myles]

4 minutes ago, coltsva said:

Right, I wouldn't expect the company to pay for it, but I'd think the union would take care of their own. Compare to MLB players union: 

 MLB players must play 43 days in the majors to earn a minimum $34,000 annual pension plan. Just one day in the majors gets them lifetime healthcare coverage. 

 

 

So the retired players beef should be with the players union and not the NFL, I guess.  

[coltsva]

It would be interesting to find out if other companies and/or unions where workers are in jobs that may affect their health long term, pay for any health care in the retirement years. Such as coal workers, chemical plant workers, etc.

 

[Cynjin]

1 hour ago, NFLfan said:

 

I guess I should feel pretty fortunate. I work in non-profit and part of my retiree package includes medical benefits/health insurancr. I have about 20 more years before retirement but it sure feels good knowing that when I retire I will have medical insurance. 

 

My opinion remains that the NFL should provide health insurance to its former players. You don't have to agree. 

 

You are fortunate, most people do not have the benefit of healthcare after retirement.   It is one of the most important things to consider before retiring.  Some are really shocked at how much health insurance costs when not part of an employer group.  It would probably be good if the NFL and NFLPA got together to fund a program for the players.  I don't think it should be just on the NFL to step up though. 

[King Colt]

Eric Dickerson was on Golic & Wingo again this morning (09/19/18) and stated this movement is for all players not just the Hof personnel. He apologized for the misconception. Free healthcare is a long running issue and will continue to be for all Americans. I can't agree with the players getting it with all of the poor people in America. Care for the elderly is beyond most people's means and intensive care is impossible. Prescriptions are so high many people simply do without. The entire medical industry is out of control with no hope of change in sight.

[King Colt]

1 hour ago, NFLfan said:

 

I guess I should feel pretty fortunate. I work in non-profit and part of my retiree package includes medical benefits/health insurancr. I have about 20 more years before retirement but it sure feels good knowing that when I retire I will have medical insurance. 

 

My opinion remains that the NFL should provide health insurance to its former players. You don't have to agree. 

Hopefully over the course of the next twenty years your coverage won't change. With the population and average ages of the population anything can and will change. My insurance goes up every couple years. Socialism is slowly on the rise in America and that will surely change things pertaining to medical coverages if it continues which I believe it will.

[Valpo2004]

1 hour ago, coltsva said:

Right, I wouldn't expect the company to pay for it, but I'd think the union would take care of their own. Compare to MLB players union: 

 MLB players must play 43 days in the majors to earn a minimum $34,000 annual pension plan. Just one day in the majors gets them lifetime healthcare coverage. 

 

 

 

Seriously?  So 6 weeks and 1 day in the MLB and you are set for life?

[NFLfan]

1 hour ago, Cynjin said:

It would probably be good if the NFL and NFLPA got together to fund a program for the players.  I don't think it should be just on the NFL to step up though. 

 

I agree with that, but many here seemed to intimate that it was such a ridiculous idea for employees to request health insurance after retirement. 

 

Those players should have health insurance. Many here ask, "Why are the players bankrupt?" Healthcare expenses can bankrupt anyone who does not have health insurance. 

[Luck 4 president]

6 hours ago, crazycolt1 said:

I worked for one company that 14 billion is chump change worldwide. 

47 tire plants

29 tire related plants

19 raw material plants

89 diversified product plants

worth?= 3.337 trillion dollars

# of employees? - over 183,000 worldwide

 

The only 2 companies worth over a trillion dollars are Apple and amazon, and they’re just barely over $1 trillion

[PrincetonTiger]

2 hours ago, coltsva said:

It would be interesting to find out if other companies and/or unions where workers are in jobs that may affect their health long term, pay for any health care in the retirement years. Such as coal workers, chemical plant workers, etc.

 

Miners do if they work at a union mine

 

    Many go on permanent disability or are eligible for SS

[Cynjin]

6 minutes ago, NFLfan said:

 

I agree with that, but many here seemed to intimate that it was such a ridiculous idea for employees to request health insurance after retirement. 

 

Those players should have health insurance. Many here ask, "Why are the players bankrupt?" Healthcare expenses can bankrupt anyone who does not have health insurance. 

 

Lack of health insurance can bankrupt a person, but I doubt that is the primary reason many players go bankrupt. 

[Myles]

46 minutes ago, NFLfan said:

 

Those players should have health insurance. Many here ask, "Why are the players bankrupt?" Healthcare expenses can bankrupt anyone who does not have health insurance. 

If they did not get health insurance, that is on them.     They could have afforded it.  

[crazycolt1]

1 hour ago, Luck 4 president said:

The only 2 companies worth over a trillion dollars are Apple and amazon, and they’re just barely over $1 trillion

I think you might take a look at Bridgestone-Firestone and you will find I am correct.

There is no argument or debate in what I know they are worth.

Oh, I forgot to add Bridgestone America and that adds another 40 billion dollars to their worth.