NFLPA Chief Set To Meet With Retired Players

Since his election as NFL Players Association executive director, DeMaurice Smith has made improving relations with retired NFL players one of his top priorities.
In the latest development toward that goal, Smith is reaching out to a group that represents retired players’ interests.
He’s scheduled to meet with former Baltimore Colts Pro Bowl defensive back Bruce Laird on Monday, according to Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com.
Laird is a representative for Fourth-and-Goal as well as the NFL Alumni Association.
On the agenda for the meeting, per the report: discussing long-term health insurance improvements as well as disability benefits for retired players under the NFL pension plan.
“Bruce is encouraged by DeMaurice Smith’s approach toward healing the wounds of retired players and bridging the divide between the union and retired players,” said Jim Morris, a Fourth-And-Goal spokesman. “We’ve always maintained that retired players must have open and honest dialogue with both the union and the league. For the first time in 27 years, there’s hope that retired players issues will be honestly and openly reviewed by union leadership.”
From talking with Laird for several years at Baltimore Ravens games, I’ve listened to him remark on several occasions about past negative dealings with the late union chief, Gene Upshaw.
It’s a really positive sign to see that the players who helped make the NFL what it is today are finally having their voices heard.