I have been active with the NFLPA, in a limited capacity, off and on, for some 10 years, because of its lack of interest in my pension and benefit relationship with that organization. I want to be more involved, but I like so many other retired players, I feel like we are just left out in the cold, like some unclaimed orphan.

The NFL Retired Players group has helped me and my family, when we needed a few thousand dollars, for family emergencies. I have also been denied emergency help from that same group, so I know that there are those in the NFLPA who understand what retired players are going through every day, but I also know that there are those within the NFLPA who have no idea of the kind of life that some of us retired players go through, with our families in tow, every day.

In that same and sometimes desperate and painful life, we retired players also have to try and live as a reminder to that great game, its players and its great fans that once knew us as prideful and honorable heroes.

I am hopeful that players, like me will, some day, belong to a fair and just players association with a fair and just pension plan. I am hopeful that all NFL players who once wore their teams jerseys in pride and worked hard for their team and for their league, will, some day, be considered a valuable part of this great group of heroes.

This situation is difficult for the retired players and for their wives and families.

I have been outspoken about my opinion of the relationship between retired players and active players. I am certain that active players would like to have us retired players representing them, out in the communities, in the good and positive light that they deserve, while they continue their warrior responsibilities on the playing field.

We can work together as true brothers and as true teammates. As a complete whole, the NFL and the NFLPA have the potential to move social and economic mountains for the great communities that we represent. If we remain separated, we will never be able to fully serve our communities the way we were meant to. Let us all come together, as one. Let us all treat each other as brothers and teammates.

Having been a player is important and brings relevency to the table, but being a former player without credentials is something else. Most of the people in those positions do not have the credentials to do the tasks.

As an officer of the court (attorney) have you ever complained about the problems with the NFL disability system?

Sincerely,

Dave Pear
NFL 1975- 80
Social Security Disability

(1) redact the reservation of discretion in Section 8.2 because this will dramatically help players litigate their disability claim on a 50/50 playing field;

(2) redact or revise the exclusion provision in Section 5.1 that prevents players from electing early retirement and then filing for disability;

(3) revise the claim procedures to limit the ability to doctor shop… for example, the current claim procedures allow the nfl player benefit office the opportunity to send former players applying for disability out to three (3) medical examinations in hopes of finding one doctor that does not support the disability application.

note – because of the reservation of discretion mentioned in (1) above, when one physician says the disability applicant can work as a security monitor or telemarketer, the possibility of winning the claim in court is seriously diminished.

(4) get a better definition of benevolent employment as it is discussed in Section 5.2.

note – if a former player is still working in almost any capacity and applies for nfl disability, then that player gets denied because he is employed. because the nfl system can take almost a year to complete from application, to three (3) nfl medical exams, to a final decision, the applicant must be out of work and without any means of financial support during this process… that creates a very harsh situation for many applicants.

best regards-
kurt ward