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by CHARLES CHANDLER
Charlotte Observer
Wed, Jun. 06, 2007

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised Gene Upshaw's advocacy for retired players Tuesday despite an ongoing rift between retirees and the NFL Players Association executive director.

"I don't think there's anybody I know who has done more for the retired players and players in general than Gene Upshaw," Goodell said after speaking at a Charlotte luncheon honoring Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. "I think he's done a tremendous amount for them."

Goodell declined to comment on a threatening remark Upshaw made recently about Hall of Famer and Charlotte resident Joe DeLamielleure, one of the NFLPA leader's harshest critics.

"I wasn't part of those discussions, so I don't have any response to it," said Goodell.

Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter, however, said Upshaw's remarks were inappropriate, though Minter said he supports Upshaw's leadership.

Upshaw was quoted in Friday's Philadelphia Daily News as saying: "A guy like DeLamielleure says the things he said about me; you think I'm going to invite him to dinner? No. I'm going to break his ... damn neck."

Minter said even if Upshaw was upset with DeLamielleure, he should have expressed himself better.

"To say you're going to smash somebody else, that's pretty strong words," said Minter, who was a Panthers' player representative to the NFLPA from 2001 to '06. "I guess when you hold that position, even though you might be mad or upset about certain things, you've got to keep it to yourself.

"Even though (another) guy might be wrong and not looking at all the facts, you need to say what you say without threatening."

Minter said Upshaw should apologize.

"That's my philosophy," he said. "If you're wrong, you apologize and go from there.

"I think once he calms down and looks at it, he'll say, `Let me apologize to this man.' If it was me, I would."

Minter said DeLamielleure also might need to apologize. DeLamielleure has been a relentless critic of Upshaw for more than a year, repeatedly saying the NFLPA chief should be fired and "stinks" as a representative for former players.

Goodell tried to distance himself from Upshaw's comment Tuesday. When asked by the Observer why he wouldn't address Upshaw's comment but did speak recently about Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis' comments about dog fighting, Goodell said:

"That was taking a position on an issue. That was a completely different circumstance to me."

Minter said the comment didn't affect his long-time support Upshaw.

"The guy has been doing a great job as far as being the head of the NFL Players Association," said Minter. "I don't think one comment is going to tarnish this man's legacy of what he has done for the players."

Despite recent increases in pensions and other benefits for ailing retirees, Upshaw has been at the center of a firestorm of criticism from retired player groups.

Goodell and Minter said they wished the strife didn't exist.

"I think it's unfortunate this kind of banter is going on," said Goodell. "I don't think it's helpful, but I understand it's an emotional issue."

Goodell recently formed an alliance with the NFLPA to coordinate medical-support services for former players, which the commissioner said is an example of Upshaw's efforts on behalf of retirees.

Minter, entering his 11th season, said current players should be pro-active.

"We can't act like it's not going on," he said. "Hopefully, at the end of the day, we'll be able to sit down, the retired players with the active guys, and come up with a solution that works for both sides."

Minter said he believes the NFL and the NFLPA have tried hard to help former players but must remain aggressive in their efforts.

"You've got to be able to take care of the guy who built this deal to where we are today," he said. "I would say whatever we can do, and as quickly as we can do it, we need to jump on it and make it happen."