Congress Asking More Questions About NFL's Disability Benefits

Congress Questioning NFL, NFLPA's Running Of Disability Benefits System

ON THEIR OWN: Meanwhile, since the September 18 hearing on retired player benefits held by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, individual senators and congressmen "have pursued the subject on their own."  Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) sent NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a series of nine questions, and Goodell replied in writing.  Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) "sent queries" to Goodell and NFLPA Exec Dir Gene Upshaw and also met with retired NFLers.  On October 12, House Judiciary Committee Chair John Conyers (D-MI) and his colleagues "wrote Goodell and Upshaw, formally requesting information to prepare a bipartisan Congressional Research Service report" (ESPN.com, 12/3).

PITCHING IN: On last night's edition of HBO's "Costas Now," John McEnroe pledged $25,000 to the Gridiron Greats Fund, which benefits disabled former NFL players, from his foundation. McEnroe told TNT's Charles Barkley, “Instead of you losing some bet, (you should donate $25,000). Maybe we can embarrass these people because I saw (Chiefs OT) Kyle Turley offer to donate a week’s salary. ... Gene Upshaw should have been fired years ago, as far as I’m concerned.” Bob Costas: “I’ll match whatever you guys do, within reason.” Barkley: “He can’t get through all those cobwebs in his pocket to get to his wallet. I’ll give $25,000 also.” Barkley, to McEnroe: “You just gave away a whole blackjack hand for me” (“Costas Now,” HBO, 12/4).

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