Comments on: The NFL Players Association Fifty Years Ago

By: Preston Carpenter

Preston Carpenter — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:56:56 +0000

I remember so well what Bill Howton did in those days. We all were pretty loyal to each other . The Players today know we need protection . I have commented many times –LETS GET ON THE SAME PAGE AS PRESENT DAY PLAYERS. What I mean by this is lets get paid the same amount, times years played time the factor (the age that you retired). This would be a dream come true and would receive the increases that they receive. Most of us waited to receive our pensions. It is a shame that some didn’t. That is terrible. As for the Monthly amount. I think it is $475.00 per month x factor x years played – age at retirement x percentage if wife is receiving the same income as you if you passed away. You can ask the Office for copy of all this stuff. Preston*- thanks for reading

By: Bill Howton

Bill Howton — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:40:09 +0000

Guys,
Most of this letter if false. We never had a meeting in Jan. of 58. Creighton Miller never worked for the Browns. It was George Ratterman, a QB for the Browns, who first contacted Miller about exploring the possibility of a Players Group. In Nov. of 1957 Miller wrote letters to the 12 captains of the various teams and suggested they select a player to represent them. Each player put $50.00 towards paying their reps expenses, and we would all meet in New York during the week of the NFL championship game. Giants vs Bears. Mid December 57
We meet at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. we had 11 player reps, the bears did not send one. We formally formed the NFLPA. Guys like Title-49ers VanBrocklin-Rams Schmidt-Lions Walston-Eagles Pellington-Colts and 6 others. Just for the record, Bill Howton

By: Larry Hand

Larry Hand — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:15:17 +0000

Emmitt Smith said it best last year in that the Current NFL Players have inheritted alot from the Retired Players who started the NFL Players Association. I took a 10% pay cut when I played out my option in 1968. Alot of us had to work every year in the off season because of what we made. Today many players when they sign their first contract have hit the Lottery! I’m not complaining fortunately I played 13 years, and worked each off season. Many of the Retired Players didn’t have the current Safety Nets to fall into compared to current players. Current Players need to get more involved because many of us didn’t have or take the time.

By: Bob Davis

Bob Davis — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:07:46 +0000

Hopefully they will be fighting for increased pension benefits for the retired players. Those old minutes show the disdain the owners had then, and I am sure still have to this day!!!
Bob Davis
NFL 67-73