The NFL's retired players are making more progress in mending fences than the current ones during this time of labor strife. FOXSports.com confirmed that NFL Alumni executive director George Martin has accepted an invitation to attend NFLPA meetings focused on veteran players next week in Marco Island. This breaks the cold war between Martin and DeMaurice Smith that the former has alluded to in public criticism of the NFLPA's executive director. During a February interview on Sirius NFL Radio, Martin told me that he was repeatedly snubbed by Smith since taking office last year. "Gene Upshaw did make the very unfortunate statement that the NFLPA does not represent former players," Smith said of the late players' union executive director. "It seems as if his successor is living up to that unfortunate credo. "I've been somewhat dismayed by Mr. Smith's lack of action and compassion toward retired players. The fact there's been a lot of action thus far to marginalize retired players. ... We've not had in his year or my year in office an opportunity to have a face-to-face discussion about all of those issues that face retired players. It's frustrating. If you look at the numbers of those who have laid the foundation for what currently exists, there's no reason we should not have an open dialogue. I think it's a mistake and a calculated risk on behalf of Mr. Smith. But we'll formulate our own voice and make sure it's heard." The NFLPA denies snubbing Martin and said it has welcomed him to prior gatherings. NFLPA senior director of player affairs Nolan Harrison also is admittedly wary of the business ties Martin has with NFL ownership and the belief that the NFLA's main benefits push focuses on older retirees. Source: Alex Marvez, FOXSports
The impression I have of George Martin is of a very straight forward person, so I'm not surprised he is put out by the way the NFLA seems to have been treated. And, of course, the NFLA focus is on retired players, because that is the people it was set up to help.
