Vincent says former players responsible
By
pyasinskas@charlotteobserver.com
Referring to a January story in the Charlotte Observer, in which numerous retired players complained about their benefits, Vincent said those former players should blame themselves.
"Some of the comments that were made by some very, very prominent individuals in our sport I would first like to say, let's check the source in which those comments have come from," said Vincent, a safety for the Buffalo Bills. "I think that's the question, what did they do when they were in position to make change?"
He said retired players aren't ignored by the union.
"We talk about retired players and benefits every day," he said. "That was here before I was here and it will be here long after I'm gone. Current players today, we want to increase our benefits as well. It's really a balance of trying to find a way to contribute to the past, the present and also build for the future."
NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw, a former player, said the union's primary responsibility is to represent current players.
"When I say (retired players) don't have anyone in the room, when you take that just by itself, it's true," Upshaw said. "But they have the best one in the room, which is me. I'm in every negotiating session. I know exactly where the economics are on these issues. If I don't understand the plight of the retired players, I don't know who will."
Upshaw said he believes the union has done its best for retired players.
"We are the only organization that has ever gone and done what we've done for people that are no longer part of the bargaining unit," he said. "That record has been there. It was actually started with that whole process when Ed Garvey was the executive director and it's continued on.
"He always ... told us, `One day, you will not be in this room making decisions. Someone else will be in this room making decisions and don't ever forget to go back.' We never have forgot to go back and we never will and history shows that."
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