The Blog Is Mightier Than The Sword

Bryant Gumbel made a lot of waves last summer when he made some harsh comments about NFL Players Association boss Gene Upshaw while talking about incoming commissioner Roger Goodell.

Before he cleans out his office have Paul Tagliabue show you where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash. By making the docile head of the players union his personal pet, your predecessor has kept the peace without giving players the kind of guarantees other pros take for granted. Try to make sure no one competent ever replaces Upshaw on your watch.

Recent actions by the NFLPA may be proving that Gumbel's doubts about Upshaw's competence were right on the money. Several retired players and chapter presidents have started blogs to communicate with their brethren about perceived problems with the pension system and other issues that are affecting former NFLers. In a recent memo, the NFLPA said that any retired chapter found guilty of "conduct detrimental to the union's best interests" may be dissolved.

Bruce Laird, president of the chapter of retired Baltimore Colts, says he got the message loud and clear. "I think it's a warning over the bow that if ... other people want to speak out for representation in the NFL, it's looked upon unfavorably."

Laird (check out his blog here) and other gridders-turned-bloggers believe that more can be done to help struggling former players and use their sites as a way to publicize their fight for more recognition. Upshaw's quest to silence their complaints is the latest sign that he is a less than forceful advocate for the people he is supposed to represent. When compared to Donald Fehr, in particular, Upshaw comes up exceedingly short in the arena of protecting the best interests of players. Contracts aren't guaranteed, mandatory minicamps make for non-existent offseasons and players suffer from the wounds of their gridiron days for years after they hang up their cleats. And now, when players decide to speak up about their concerns the union is more interested in shutting them up than hearing them out. Just what the league and the owners must want in an "adversary."

Comments

[Scrap]

Amazing. Why are blogs so feared?

[extrapolater]

This is truly an absurd situation. I might have to take it upon myself to seek out some of these former players' blogs and read up.