21-Nov-2009 06:03am
 
RealTime Fantasy Sports
NFL commissioner and union chief to talk about injuries, retirement at Senate hearing

    2007-09-12 17:58

WASHINGTON (AP) -NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and union chief Gene Upshaw plan to testify Tuesday at a Senate hearing on the NFL's retirement system and the problems for former players who are disabled from injuries.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. will lead the hearings before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Other witnesses will include former Chicago coach and tight end Mike Ditka and Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers.

Ditka has been sharply critical of the NFL's pension system, heading a group of former players seeking reform of the process, which is overseen by a board with members appointed both by the owners and the NFL Players Association.

``Football generates billions of dollars in revenue each year,'' Dorgan said in a statement released by his office.

``But injuries, many of which last a lifetime, are also part of the game,'' Dorgan said. ``Many players say the NFL's retirement system seeks to delay, or avoid altogether, paying disability payments to players with long term injuries. The NFL says those complaints are overstated. The committee wants the facts.''

The NFL has said pensions are improving and there's no need for Congress to step in.

``Our collectively bargained package of retirement, medical and disability benefits is substantial and has grown steadily over the past two decades,'' said league spokesman Greg Aiello. ``Both current players and retirees have benefited through the improvements in these benefits.''

Upshaw was not present at an earlier hearing into the complaints of retired players. He said that was because he was out of the country but pledged to attend any future hearing.


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Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Joshua CribbsNov 20 10:53p

Scott Petrak, of the Medina County Gazette, reports Cleveland Browns WR Josh Cribbs (neck) was limited in practice Friday, Nov. 20, and is questionable for Week 11. However, head [ More ]

Nick HarperNov 20 07:03p

Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans CB Nick Harper (forearm) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is not on the injury report for Week [ More ]

Kyle OrtonNov 20 06:53p

Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11.

Brandon MarshallNov 20 06:53p

Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall (neck) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 and is expected to play.

C. BuckhalterNov 20 06:53p

Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (knee) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 and is expected to play.

LaMont JordanNov 20 06:53p

Denver Broncos RB LaMont Jordan (back) and OT Ryan Harris (toe) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They have been ruled out for Week 11.

Pierre GarconNov 20 06:43p

Indianapolis Colts WR Pierre Garcon (ankle) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 but said he will be able to play.

Dwight FreeneyNov 20 06:43p

Indianapolis Colts DE Dwight Freeney (hip) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 but said he will be able to play.

Kelvin HaydenNov 20 06:33p

Indianapolis Colts OT Dan Federkeil (concussion), SS Aaron Francisco (ankle) and CB Kelvin Hayden (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They have been ruled out for Week 11.

Dominique BarberNov 20 06:23p

Houston Texans CB Antwaun Molden (quadriceps) and SS Dominique Barber (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20.

Marcus TrufantNov 20 06:23p

Seattle Seahawks C Chris Spencer (thumb, back) and CB Marcus Trufant (concussion) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as probable for Week 11 and will be able to play.

Antonio BryantNov 20 06:13p

Roy Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant (knee) will be able to play in Week 11.

Shaun EllisNov 20 06:03p

Dan Leberfeld, of Jets Confidential, reports New York Jets WR Brad Smith (quadriceps), DE Shaun Ellis (knee) and LB Bryan Thomas (toe) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. [ More ]

Desmond ClarkNov 20 05:53p

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears TE Desmond Clark (neck) and SS Kevin Payne (back) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed [ More ]

Olin KreutzNov 20 05:53p

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears C Olin Kreutz (back) and SS Al Afalava (shoulder) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They will be able to start in Week 11.

Larry FooteNov 20 05:43p

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions FB Jerome Felton (ankle), DT Joe Cohen (ankle), LB Larry Foote (knee) and FS Louis Delmas (tooth, jaw) [ More ]

Kalvin PearsonNov 20 05:43p

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions SS Kalvin Pearson (hamstring) and LB Ernie Sims (hamstring) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They [ More ]

Phillip BuchanonNov 20 05:43p

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions DT Grady Jackson (knee), CB Phillip Buchanon (knee), LB Jordon Dizon (neck), DE Jason Hunter (knee) and FS [ More ]

Matthew StaffordNov 20 05:33p

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford (knee) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 [ More ]

Benny SappNov 20 05:23p

Minnesota Vikings CB Benny Sapp (groin) and FB Naufahu Tahi (ankle) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as probable for Week 11 and are expected to play.

Antoine WinfieldNov 20 05:23p

Minnesota Vikings CB Antoine Winfield (foot) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for Week 11 and will be a game-time decision.

Bernard BerrianNov 20 05:23p

Minnesota Vikings WR Bernard Berrian (hamstring) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 and is expected to play.

Kevin CurtisNov 20 05:13p

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles WR Kevin Curtis (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for Week 11.

Sheldon BrownNov 20 05:13p

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles CB Sheldon Brown (hamstring) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 [ More ]

Rashean MathisNov 20 05:13p

Jacksonville Jaguars CB Rashean Mathis (groin) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for Week 11 and may not be able to play in Week 12.

Jamal LewisNov 20 05:13p

Scott Petrak, of the Medina County Gazette, reports Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis (ankle) was limited in practice Friday, Nov. 20, and is questionable for Week 11. He is [ More ]

Jason PetersNov 20 05:03p

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles DL Victor Abiamiri (knee), LB Chris Gocong (hamstring), SS Victor Harris (eye), DT Mike Patterson (wrist, toe) and OT [ More ]

Akeem JordanNov 20 05:03p

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles SS Quintin Demps (ankle) and LB Akeem Jordan (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They have [ More ]

Todd HeapNov 20 04:43p

Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (chest) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 [ More ]

Jarret JohnsonNov 20 04:43p

Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens LB Tavares Gooden (head) and LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as [ More ]

Brian FinneranNov 20 04:33p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons WR Brian Finneran (knee) has been ruled out for Week 11.

Aaron KampmanNov 20 04:23p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers LB Aaron Kampman (concussion) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 [ More ]

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