Retired NFL players seeking better benefits
MINNEAPOLIS — The group of NFL retirees that was a part of the labor talks during the lockout last year has not given up their push for better post-career care.
The money they helped gain for their fellow former players was less than what they believe they were promised, and they’re eager to argue their case in court.
“I’m going to fight ‘em to the end,” said Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure, one of 47 ex-players who signed on as plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in federal court against the NFL Players Association. They’ve alleged the current players illegally overreached by determining the retiree share of the $10-billion-a-year business without them.
U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson will hear oral arguments Wednesday in St. Paul, Minn., from both sides. The union has motioned to have the case dismissed. Spokesman Carl Francis said the NFLPA won’t comment on the lawsuit. The union’s response to the complaint was filed under seal.
Michael Hausfeld, the lead attorney for the retired player group led by former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Carl Eller, insisted his clients aren’t trying to make a money grab. Eller said they’ve estimated between $300 and $500 million in additional benefits they were promised in the early stages of CBA talks and didn’t get.
Their contention is they were pushed out of negotiations to streamline the mediation process despite a court order for their inclusion. Those talks last summer led to a new collective bargaining agreement for the owners and players and saved the 2011 season.
“The retirees don’t begrudge the present players any income they merit, but at the same time they don’t feel it was appropriate for the current players to essentially shortchange the retirees,” Hausfeld said.
The NFL’s new “Legacy Fund” is an additional $620 million carved into the new CBA to go toward pension increases. Current payments to retirees or beneficiaries were bumped up to at least $600 per month. Players over 55 already receiving pensions were given a benefit credit, an extra $124 per season for those accrued prior to 1975 and an additional $108 per season for those played between 1975 and 1992.
Overall, including the “Legacy Fund,” an extra $1 billion was set aside in the new CBA to improve benefits, league spokesman Greg Aiello said.
Hausfeld’s firm also filed a concussion-related lawsuit on behalf of more than 100 former players last month against the NFL in Philadelphia federal court, alleging negligence and minimization by the league toward head-injury risk in the game.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said during Super Bowl week the NFL “will not quit” helping “retired players, the current players and future players by making the game safer.”
Lawyers for the retired players referred in the complaint to a 2010 quote from New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees that described some of the retirees as coming to the current players and asking them to “please make up for my bad judgment.” Brees cited divorces, bad business decisions and an unwillingness to work after football as reasons for financial struggles of some of the former players.
Report: Irsay sets meeting
In Indianapolis, a ccording to Colts owner Jim Irsay, Peyton Manning will decide whether he plays another game for Indianapolis.
Irsay expects to meet with Manning in the next seven days, and the owner told The Indianapolis Star on Tuesday the return of the four-time MVP depends on his willingness to restructure his contract.
Manning has spent the past five months recovering from his third neck surgery in less than two years, and there have been conflicting reports about how much progress he has made.
The Colts owe Manning a $28 million roster bonus by March 8. They want to use the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft on Manning’s successor, and the future of their star QB will affect how much room they’ll have under the salary cap.
Manning turns 36 in March.
“We can make it work if he wants to be here,” Irsay told the newspaper. “We’d be excited to have him back and finish his career with us. I want him to be able to make the choice. We would love to have him back here if he can get healthy and we can look at doing a contract that reflects the uncertainty of the ... healing process with the regeneration of the nerve.”
Raiders hire six assistants
In Alameda, Calif., the Oakland Raiders are bringing back quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo for a second stint.
The Raiders also announced Tuesday the hiring of five other assistants: receivers coach Ted Gilmore, tight ends coach Mark Hutson, defensive line coach Terrell Williams and defensive backs coaches Clayton Lopez and Johnnie Lynn.
DeFilippo was quarterbacks coach in Oakland in 2007-08 before leaving for a job with the New York Jets.
He spent the past two seasons at San Jose State before new Raiders coach Dennis Allen brought him back.
Lopez also is back for a second stint with the Raiders, having been here in 2004-05. He was in St. Louis the past three seasons.
Lynn has 17 years of NFL experience, most recently in Philadelphia. Williams, Hutson and Gilmore are career college coaches.