How Do We Reach the Active Players?

Dear Alumni:

I wish I had time to put all my thoughts down right now, but I think
most of you already know where I stand on the issues. If you don't,
then read this Blog.

Bruce Laird has taken some heat for listening to Matt Stover and
giving him a forum to speak his mind, but the truth
is .............Our best bet for getting improvements to the Pension
and Disability Plans is to take our case directly to the active
players. They have all the power to tell Gene what they want him
negotiating for...... on our behalf!
As you know, the problem has always been that Gene needs to impress
current players with all the great benefits he can get them.....that
is why he continues to get elected time after time. Nothing is going
to change that. They pay his salary. He works for them.
The only way we can change the system is from the inside out........
we can do this by reaching out to the active players and making them
feel like they are a part of Our Team. They need to know that they
will be a part of Our Alumni Team a lot longer than they will be a
member of an NFL Team. If we can reach just a few of the big name
players that are willing to take a public stand on issues affecting
retired players then we will begin to reach even more of the current
players. It would be a public relations bonanza for any current player
willing to do this. Can you imagine the headlines for the active
player that does this? Do they know that they will suddenly become
the hero of thousands of former players! You can't buy that kind of
PR. If we have to appeal to the ego of an active player to get them
on our side.... then so be it ! If they do it because they are smart
enough to realize that they too will soon be joining our ranks, than
that's much better. Harry Carson will always be remembered for his
Hall of Fame speech where he implored the Union and the Owners to do
more for retired players. I'm positive there are some current players
that will also speak up on our behalf. The key to this happening is
to get a handful of Active Player Reps and NFLPA Executive Committee
members on our side. How do we do this....My recommendation is to
have some very influential Hall of Famers ask for a meeting with the
Player Reps and/or NFLPA Steering Committee, before the season begins
if possible. This invitation to meet with them must come in the form
of a very public letter signed by each of the HOF players that can
attend. The media will need to be alerted that a request for a meeting
has been made. It would be great to have someone like Mike Ditka
publicize and spearhead this initiative. The invitation to meet can be
announced at the HOF Induction Ceremony. Can you imagine what it
would be like to have former players like Mike Ditka, Harry Carson,
Joe DeLamelleure, John Mackey, Herb Adderley, Jerry Kramer, Sam Huff,
Johnny Unitas, Earl Campbell, Willie Wood, Randy Cross, Art Donovan,
Joe Montana, Deacon Jones, Marcus Allen, Randy White, John Elway,
Leroy Kelly, Nick Buonicotti, and other former NFL greats talking
directly to the current players face-to-face about the issues
affecting retired players.
Our future pension and disability plan improvements are in the hands
of the current players! They have all the power over Gene Upshaw,
they just need to exercise that power from time to time. There is no
other way to do this, so we better start working to educate them now
and team up with them as soon as possible.
Where would our Retired Players Steering Committee fit into this? I'm
not sure if they would even endorse this idea, but if they can help in
some way that would be great.
Jeff Nixon
Buffalo Bills Alumni Chapter


Here are the Team Player Reps from last year. You can also find this
list at http://www.nflpa.org/AboutUs/PlayerReps.aspx
Arizona Cardinals Representative Scott Player
Alternate Obafemi
Ayanbadejo
Atlanta Falcons Representative Lawyer Milloy
Alternate Justin Griffith
Baltimore Ravens Representative Matt Stover
Alternate Adalius Thomas
Buffalo Bills Representative Takeo Spikes
Alternate Robert Royal
Carolina Panthers Representative Jason Kyle
Alternate John Kasay
Chicago Bears Representative Hunter Hillenmeyer
Alternate Muhsin Muhammad
Cincinnati Bengals Representative Tony Stewart
Alternate Anthony Mitchell
Cleveland Browns Representative Brian Russell
Alternate Braylon Edwards
Dallas Cowboys Representative Greg Ellis
Alternate Aaron Glenn
Denver Broncos Representative Rod Smith
Alternate Kyle Johnson
Detroit Lions Representative James Hall
Alternate Terrence Holt
Green Bay Packers Representative Rob Davis
Alternate Mark Tauscher
Houston Texans Representative Kris Brown
Alternate Jason Simmons
Indianapolis Colts Representative Jeff Saturday
Alternate Tarik Glenn
Jacksonville Jaguars Representative Donovin Darius
Alternate Ernest Wilford
Kansas City Chiefs Representative Brian Waters
Alternate Kendall Gammon
Miami Dolphins Representative Kevin Carter
Alternate L.J. Shelton
Minnesota Vikings Representative Tony Richardson
Alternate Darren Sharper
New England Patriots Representative Mike Vrabel
Alternate Don Davis
New Orleans Saints Representative Drew Brees
Alternate Hollis Thomas
New York Giants Co-Representative Ryan Kuehl
Co-Representative Jay Feely
New York Jets Representative Pete Kendall
Alternate Kimo Von Oelhoffen
Oakland Raiders Representative Tyrone Poole
Alternate Adam Treu
Philadelphia Eagles Representative Brian Dawkins
Alternate Reno Mahe
Pittsburgh Steelers Representative Charlie Batch
Alternate Kendall Simmons
San Diego Chargers Representative Roman Oben
Alternate Nick Hardwick
San Francisco 49ers Representative Walt Harris
Alternate Jonas Jennings
Seattle Seahawks Representative Mack Strong
Alternate Chris Gray
St. Louis Rams Representative Torry Holt
Alternate Will Witherspoon
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Representative Ryan Nece
Alternate Dave Moore
Tennessee Titans Representative David Thornton
Alternate Peter Sirmon
Washington Redskins Representative Renaldo Wynn
Alternate James Thrash

Here is the NFLPA Executive Committee from last year. You can also
find this list at http://www.nflpa.org/AboutUs/ExecutiveCommittee.aspx


Mark Bruener #87 Houston Texans
Position: TE
Years Pro: 11
Draft Date: 1995
Draft Team: Pittsburgh
Born: 09/16/1972
Hometown: Aberdeen, WA
_________________________________________________________
Kevin Carter #93 Tampa Bay
Position: DE
Years Pro: 11
Draft Date: 1995
Draft Team: St. Louis Rams
Born: 09/21/1973
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
College: Florida
_________________________________________________________
Ernie Conwell #85 New Orleans
Position: TE
Years Pro: 10
Draft Date: 1996
Draft Team: St. Louis Rams
Born: 08/17/1972
Hometown: Renton, WA
College: Washington
________________________________________________________
Donovin Darius #20 Jacksonville Jaguars Position: S
Years Pro: 8
Draft Date: 1998
Draft Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Born: 08/12/1975
Hometown: Camden, NJ
College: Syracuse
_________________________________________________________
Brian Dawkins #20 Philadelphia Eagles
Position: FS
Years Pro: 10
Draft Date: 1996
Draft Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Born: 10/13/1973
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
College: Clemson
_________________________________________________________

Robert Griffith #34 Arizona Cardinals
Position: S
Years Pro: 12
Draft Date: free agent
Draft Team: free agent
Born: 11/30/1970
Hometown: Lanham, MD
College: San Diego State
_________________________________________________________
Kevin Mawae #68 Tennessee Titans
Position: C
Years Pro: 12
Draft Date: 1994
Draft Team: Seattle Seahawks
Born: 01/23/1971
Hometown: Leesville, LA
College: Louisiana State
_________________________________________________________
Keenan McCardell #86 San Diego Chargers
Position: WR
Years Pro: 14
Draft Date: 1991
Draft Team: Washington Redskins
Born: 01/06/1970
Hometown: Houston, TX
College: Nevada-Las Vegas
_________________________________________________________
Tony Richardson #49 Minnesota Vikings
Position: RB
Years Pro: 10
Draft Date: free agent
Draft Team: free agent
Born: 12/17/1971
Hometown: Frankfurt, Germany
College: Auburn
_________________________________________________________
Jeff Saturday #63 Indianapolis Colts
Position: C
Years Pro: 7
Draft Date: free agent
Draft Team: free agent
Born: 06/08/1975
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
College: North Carolina