(AUDIO) Joe DeLamielleure, Former Bills Great: Joe was very passionate about trying to help his fellow football players who have gone through some tough times since they have retired. (courtesy of KTAR radio)
Gene Upshaw threatens strike; comments on retired players
By GARY MYERS
NY DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Friday, February 1st 2008, 4:00 AM
PHOENIX – The rhetoric has started in the NFL’s latest labor battle, with players union boss Gene Upshaw threatening a strike as an option to combat the owners, who he expects will opt out of the collective bargaining agreement in November.
As part of the last-minute deal agreed to in March 2006, either side has the right to terminate the deal in November. The CBA gives the players 60% of the revenue. Already, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Broncos owner Patrick Bowlen have suggested the deal needs to be renegotiated. Upshaw listed a shutdown of the $8 billion-a-year industry as a union alternative.
“It’s very clear to us from what we see in the tea leaves the owners will terminate the deal in November,” Upshaw said Thursday. “I have prepared the players for the worst.” READ MORE
Gene Upshaw said he reads the harsh words and personal attacks from former NFL players seeking improved disability and pension benefits.
That doesn’t mean he heeds them. “Guess what, I’ve been reading it, and guess what, it doesn’t have any effect on what I will do tomorrow, the next day and the next hour,” said Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, following his annual Super Bowl news conference today. “It’s just like water off a duck’s back. It had no effect before and it will have no effect.” The NFLPA will not help former players by dipping into the pensions of current ones, Upshaw said. READ MORE
