The Daily News, Jacksonville, N.C.
March 09, 2006
The National Football League labor dispute has been deemed by most as players vs. owners.
The incredibly wealthy owners want their share, while the wealthy players continue to look for what they feel should be their cut. At stake is billions of dollars.
No matter the outcome of the negotiations, which were resolved Wednesday night when owners agreed to ratify the latest proposal, Mike Siani left no doubt where his allegiances lie. The former Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Colts standout fully backs the players.
But not necessarily the current group of gridiron greats.
“The players association and the owners need to think about the guys I played with and the guys I played against in the 60s and 70s,” Siani said following a press conference to announce the return of the Marine Corps Celebrity Invitational golf tournament in May. “They need to be asking what can we do for them.”
Siani, who is in his first year as head coach of the Fayetteville Guard of the National Indoor Football League, went from jovial to serious when quizzed about the current status of NFL labor negotiations. His demeanor stemmed from what he perceived as a slight from the NFL Players Association — in particular NFLPA president Gene Upshaw — toward retired players.
Siani was a first-round draft pick by the Raiders in 1972 and went on to play nine seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors in 1973 and winning a Super Bowl in 1977. He and Upshaw were teammates in
“His comment … in the
“They’re all in it for themselves … there’s no loyalty any more that I see.”
Siani recalled situations of former players having to take legal action against the league in order to help cover health insurance costs. He explained that while his health was not a major concern, many of his counterparts were not as lucky.
“Guys my age are now … maybe not financially hurting but physically hurting,” he said. “I had a doctor once tell me that playing in the NFL is like getting in a car accident every Sunday. … And I’m fairly healthy compared to some guys.”
Siani was particularly disturbed that the NFLPA was overlooking the very players who created the union and helped open the doors to free agency — and the ensuing financial windfall — with a pair of labor strikes.
“Let’s not worry about the guys making $20 million,” he said, “let’s try to remember the guys who started free agency. We started the union, we went on strike twice. We feel like we helped the league (become what it is now). We’re still part of the union.”
Siani has nothing personal against Upshaw, but feels he could be doing more for the same guys he suited up with three decades ago.
“I like Gene, he’s a friend … but Gene is making $3 million a year and doesn’t want the boat rocked.”
Siani settled down when asked about his involvement in the MCCI, which will be held May 17-21.
“I love it. I really, really enjoy playing here,” he beamed. “This one is really special to me, especially what we raise money for.”
Another player overjoyed to be back aboard
“It’s a treat, an honor, a pleasure to be back at Lejeune,” he said. “The Celebrity Players Tour is tickled to be part of this.”
Marin nearly won in 2004, losing in a playoff to Don Edwards on the first hole of a sudden death playoff. He finished tied for fourth last year.
He hopes to finally get over the hump this year.
“I’ve been playing pretty well over the fall,” he said. “I like the golf course a lot, it suits my game — except for the last hole.”
Marin wasn’t as giddy about the current prospects of his alma mater, which has lost two straight heading into the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, which begins today.
“I was talking to former teammate Jeff Mullins … they just appear to be very tired,” he said. “Especially one key guy who’s gone through some tough times with the scoring thing and everything else.
“They need Demarcus Nelson to step up now that he’s back. They really need a third scorer.”
E-mail: pthompson@freedomenc.com
Phone: 353-1171, ext. 227
Blog: http://pthompson.enctoday.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment