It�s hard for me and my fellow members of the NFLPA former players� Baltimore chapter to know what you all must be feeling. On or around February 1, 2012, you learned that although your husband wanted you protected � he wanted his pension to continue following his death � and although he did protect you, you are not eligible for the Legacy Benefit. Why? Because your husband died prior to August 4, 2011.
As president of the Fourth & Goal Foundation, I can tell you that we have lobbied the NFLPA, the NFLAA, and the NFL on your behalf for months. I have personally called and written to league officials, as well as members of the NFLPA�s former players� board and the NFLAA�s board. Only the league has answered our appeals on your behalf.
Fourth & Goal board member Sylvia Mackey has also personally contacted league officials as well as NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith. Again, the league responded immediately. Yet it was one month before De Smith responded � and he simply punted the issue, calling on to the league to cover the approximate $12 million cost of extending the Legacy Benefit to you. Sylvia�s remarks at an NFLAA Super Bowl press conference were overshadowed by the focus on questions about the NFLAA�s financial instability. Although she also addressed the NFLPA�s former players� convention, no resolution was offered or adopted on your behalf.
Although NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will get it fixed � and league officials have reiterated that statement � neither the Commissioner nor the league can do it alone.
The Legacy Benefit was included as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, negotiated between the NFL and the NFLPA as an additional benefit for former players who retired prior to 1993. Any change, alteration or enhancement to the CBA must be agreed upon and shared by both the union and the league.
Nothing � no letters, no phone calls, no recruiting other widows to the effort, no press coverage � will right this wrong until and unless De Smith works with Roger Goodell to make it right.
During my 12-year NFL career, my teammates and I had each others� backs. Nearly 30 years after we retired, many of those relationships endure today. It�s extremely disappointing that the NFLPA former players� board members � and, for that matter, the NFLAA leadership and board members � don�t have your back.
I encourage you to join with Fourth & Goal in urging De Smith and NFLPA�s leaders to stand with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league in extending the Legacy Benefit to you, just as your husband intended.
Bruce Laird
President, Fourth & Goal Foundation
Baltimore Colts, 1972-1981
San Diego Chargers, 1982-1983
President, Fourth & Goal Foundation
Baltimore Colts, 1972-1981
San Diego Chargers, 1982-1983
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