Hall induction boycott threatened
A group of Pro Football Hall of Famers led by Eric Dickerson is demanding health insurance coverage and a share of NFL revenues or else those former players will boycott the induction ceremonies.
In a letter sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and Hall of Fame President David Baker — 21 Hall of Fame members cited themselves as “integral to the creation of the modern NFL, which in 2017 generated $14 billion in revenue.”
Among the signees were Dickerson, who is listed as chairman of the newly created Hall of Fame Board the group has formed, Jim Brown, Jerry Rice, Joe Namath, Lawrence Taylor, and Sarah White, the widow of former Green Bay Packers great Reggie White.
One name on the list of 22 signees was Carl Ellard, but no one by that name has played professional football. Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Carl Eller, however, is a Hall of Famer.
“The time has come for us to be treated as part of a game we’ve given so much to,” the letter states. “Until our demands are met, the Hall of Famers will not attend the annual induction ceremony in Canton. It’s well known that the NFL is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020, and while we are proud of our role in building this league, we don’t believe 100 years of player exploitation is something to celebrate.”
The strongly worded letter called out the league for paying Goodell $40 million, saying “there are better uses for that money.” It also criticized Smith for his salary and the lack of a former player on the players’ association executive board. But there have been two former players on that executive board since 2009.
Rice said he wasn’t on the Hall of Fame board. And in a statement on Twitter, the former wide receiver said he plans to support the Hall of Fame and “looks forward to attending the 100th anniversary in 2020.”
Kurt Warner, whose name is also on the letter, released a statement on Twitter that said he wasn’t made aware of the letter and his name was mistakenly put on it. He said he supports the efforts for better benefits for all retired players and doesn’t believe in boycotting the Hall of Fame.
The letter’s demands cover the 318 members of the Hall of Fame but says it hopes to create “a template for active players in the next round of (labor) negotiations.” Those talks would come in 2021 when the current CBA expires.
Other Hall of Famers listed on the letter are Marcus Allen, Mel Blount, Derrick Brooks, Earl Campbell, Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Mike Haynes, Rickey Jackson, Ronnie Lott, Curtis Martin, John Randle, Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith and Jackie Smith.
Vikings sign Bailey: The Minnesota Vikings signed kicker Dan Bailey, owner of the second-best field goal percentage in NFL history and replacement for rookie Daniel Carlson.
Bailey’s deal was done a day after the Vikings waived Carlson fresh from his 0-for-3 game at Green Bay.