“You Were Always on My Mind”

Posted on February 16, 2012 by
by Bruce Laird

Country music often filled the Baltimore Colts’ locker room in the late ‘70s, compliments of my teammates with Southern roots. I was reminded of those days – and in particular, of Willie Nelson’s iconic “You Were Always on My Mind” – when I learned that just yesterday, a member of the NFLPA former players’ board of directors had finally reached out to one of the 320 widows abandoned by the union in CBA negotiations regarding the Legacy Benefit.
 
For those unfamiliar with the lyrics, here’s a sample:
 
Maybe I didn’t treat you
Quite as good as I should have
 
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
You were always on my mind

If I made you feel second best
Girl I’m so sorry I was blind
You were always on my mind

If the 320 widows excluded from the Legacy Benefit were indeed always on the minds of NFLPA leadership and former players’ board members, why did they remain silent when Fourth & Goal contacted the league and former players’ board members, when Sylvia Mackey contacted the union, when widows pleaded for information and help?

 
Perhaps NFLPA attorney Jeffrey Kessler provided the answer in a St. Paul, Minn., courtroom yesterday, when he stated that the union had no legal fiduciary duty to the retirees – or, we presume, their widows.
 

About fourthandgoalfoundation

The Baltimore Colts’ alumni have long been at the forefront of a movement to publicize the pension and disability issues faced by hundreds of retired NFL players. Our efforts on behalf of our teammate John Mackey have grown into a national 501(c)(3) organization, Fourth & Goal, which is dedicated to: - Gaining representation for retired players; - Advocating for improved pension and disability benefits for retired players; and - Raising funds to immediately assist retired players in need.
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2 Responses to “You Were Always on My Mind”

  1. gerry feehery says:
    February 16, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    I guess doing the right thing doesn’t matter anymore.

  2. John Hogan says:
    February 17, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    Bruce’s song reference got me thinking of some other popular songs of the ’70s that are applicable here:
    The League may be saying “Dream on” (Arrowsmith) and the Union has told us “Go Your Own Way” (Fleetwood Mac); But we must respond: “We are Family!” (Sister Sledge) and “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet!” (BTO) because “We Won’t Get Fooled Again!” (The Who) and although retired players, their widows and families are facing a “Long and Winding Road” (the Beatles) we “Won’t Stop Till (we) Get Enough!” (Michael Jackson) and we are “Taking Care of Business!” (BTO)

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