New NFLPA Executive Director: “Union Has a Fiduciary Duty to Retired Players”
Posted April 24th, 2009 by RetiredPlayersNewly elected NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith spoke with reporters in New York today and said the union has a fiduciary duty to retired players, which is in stark contrast to comments from his predecessor Gene Upshaw, who famously said he only represented active players while collecting union dues from retired players.
This should be a vote of confidence for retired players. It is the first time in years that anyone in the NFLPA has accepted the union’s duty to retired players. DeMaurice Smith is a lawyer who is well versed in the meaning of fiduciary duty.
In November of 2008, prior to Smith joining the union, a jury found the NFLPA guilty of breach of contract and fiduciary duty in its representation of retired players.
Smith also said that the NFLPA had not made a decision on whether to drop the appeal of the retired players $28.1 million verdict against the NFLPA.
The retired paved the way for these now active players. I myself played a total of eight years and vested six years as a veteran player. I played with the Seahawks,Raiders, and Vikings. The greed that is being displayed is just not right there is enough for everyone to be properly taken care of. Why can’t we as people start looking out for one another and do whats right?
I totally agree Mr. Graves.
I can see why there needs to be a fiduciary responisibilty do to fact such as, Houston, TX chapter President being sued for shady business dealing with the real owner of Myles J the lawsuit is filed in Harris County District Court under MJH Ventures vs Sedrick Clark. This one of the reason things are they way they are you let these kind of people who did even play one full year in charge of your organizations across the county who doesn’t understand the process to caught up in titles! Good Luck
It is time to take another approach to the funding and needs of retired players. The utimate responsibility belongs to the player themselves when it comes to life after football. It has been said many times that theirs is alot more time spent living as a retired player than as a active player. That being said the preparation must begin as soon as you are lucky enough to be drafted and sign your first contract. Then you also need a union management team thats main function is generating revenue for its members.This group must always be able to be a stand alone group with enough profits to easily survive under any conditions. IF THERE IS ANYONE READING THIS THAT REALLY CARES ABOUT THE MANY RETIRED NFL PLAYERS AND THIERS FAMILIES PLEASE RESPOND BACK. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
@ Brad Long: Thats why I’m here Brad, looking for retired players to help me with info about them. I’m writing articles about their problems, and the unfairness in the court rulings.
I seem to be on my own in that respect, the major news outlets have a vested interest in the NFL management, and ignore retired players like worn out sneakers.
I have 3 sports news websites of my own, write for 3 networks, and at times get an article of mine picked up by Sports Illutrated, Fox, Yahoo Sports etc. Help me guys, I’m tired of the petty tyrant Goodell acting as dictator.
Anyone who wants to go on the record can contact me by emailing me. [email protected]
For what it’s worth, I’ll be burning DeMaurice Smith’s azz tonight in a new article over his statement in this article. The statement he made was a lie, and I’m calling him on it.