Union Rep. Aaron Rodgers Is Super Bowl MVP

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AFL-CIO News Blog

by James Parks,

Just a week after Natalie Portman and Melissa Leo gave shout outs to their union at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, two more high-profile union members were in the spotlight. On Super Bowl Sunday, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers’ team rep. for the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), took home the Super Bowl MVP award. The same day New England Patriot alternate rep. Tom Brady was named Offensive Player of the Year for the 2010 season.

It is rare for two such high-profile players to serve as team reps., but both Rodgers and Brady are strong supporters of the union. When he was introduced as the Packers’ new team rep. last October, Rodgers made it clear that the union is important to him and his teammates. He spoke out about how the prospect of a lockout in the 2011 season would hurt the community as well as the players.


Aaron Rodgers

I think that’s one thing we’re trying to remember through this whole thing that’s coming down here….This lockout is bigger than just the players. It’s bigger than the players vs. the owners. This is a deal that affects more than just 53 of us .

Team owners opted out of the collective bargaining agreement with the NFLPA two years before it was due to expire, saying it isn’t working for them. But they refuse to provide audited financial information to explain what is wrong in a business that generated $9 billion in 2009, during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.


Read more: http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/02/07/union-rep-aaron-rodgers-is-super-bowl-mvp/

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FULL story at link.

[Lucian]

1. It's because of his union he gets paid millions of dollars to throw a football.

How come I don't get paid millions of dollars to stock shelves?

[Omaha Steve]

3. R U the best in the world at it? Do millions watch YOU on TV or in the stands?

Dr. King would side with the workers. The billionaire owners want two more games a year for a lot less $, but won't open their books. Do you have what it takes to organize a union at work?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/2/6/940677/-NFL-lockout:-No-more-football-in-2011

NFL lockout: No more football in 2011?

This year we go into the Super Bowl facing the prospect that there will be no more NFL games in 2011. Why? Because the NFL's owners have chosen to opt out of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) two years early and are attempting to extract massive concessions from the NFL's players. If the players don't give in, the owners will lock them out and there will be no 2011-2012 NFL season.

That's something that cannot be repeated enough: This is entirely initiated by the owners. This collective bargaining agreement was extended for six years by a vote of the owners in 2006. Just two years later, they decided to opt out of the agreement, ending it two years early. The players just don't want to take pay and benefit cuts for a longer season that will make injuries more likely.

The owners claim that they need the players to take pay cuts if the NFL is to remain viable and profitable. But they won't release their books. Trust us, they're saying to players and fans alike. We're in financial trouble. But:

According to Kurt Badenhausen of Forbes SportsMoney, "The NFL has never been more profitable by our count with the average team earning $33 million in 2009 in operating profit (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) thanks to huge incomes for teams like the Cowboys, Patriots and Redskins."

The most recent Forbes NFL franchise valuations show 19 of 32 clubs being worth at least $1 billion. In Major League Baseball, where talk of a labor stoppage at the end of 2011 is nearly non-existent, only the Yankees have a valuation of over $1 billion, as ranked by Forbes.


FULL story at link.

[Myrina]

4. ... in the grand scheme of things ....

... unionized teachers and public stafety workers should be 'worth at least $1B', not a bunch of obnoxious athletes who flame out in their late 30's.

And don't call me a hater. I was born and raised in Green Bay, my parents have been season ticket holders since the 50's, and my baby-daddy played for the Pack from 1989-1992.

[Omaha Steve]

6. Thank you, I'm a public worker and the tax payers want to outlaw my union

(Why are you not taking shots at the NFL owners?)

There is a hearing about it going on right now: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x367166

This is the email I got Friday from the Ne. AFL-CIO:

Firefighters, teachers, police officers, state employees and other public employees are being painted as Public Enemy #1 by politicians who want to balance the budget on their backs. Now, the Business and Labor Committee is holding hearings on legislation to block their freedom to join together in unions and bargain collectively.

Public employees are there for us when we need them. Let’s be there for public employees on Monday. We will tell the Business and Labor Committee to get busy strengthening our economy instead of attacking middle-class workers and their unions.

Please join us Monday.

WHAT: Press conference, followed by the Business and Labor Committee’s hearings on legislation attacking public employees and their freedom to come together in unions and bargain collectively.

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m.

WHERE: The 4th floor of the NSEA (building in Lincoln, Neb.

For directions to the NSEA (Nebraska State Education Association) building, click here.

It is not right for politicians to attack middle-class workers and their unions while CEOs and Wall Street are making record profits. Going after workers, instead of boosting our economy or reining in Big Banks and CEOs that wrecked it, is the wrong priority. It is a political ploy to weaken workers and their unions.

Please join us Monday in Lincoln at 11 a.m. Then, stay as long as you can during the committee’s hearing on this unfair legislation.

Thanks for standing with us.

In solidarity,

Ken Mass, President/Secretary-Treasurer
Nebraska State AFL-CIO


WHAT: Press conference, followed by the Business and Labor Committee’s hearings on legislation attacking public employees and their freedom to come together in unions and bargain collectively.

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 7, at
11 a.m.

WHERE: The 4th floor of the NSEA (Nebraska State Education Association) building in Lincoln, Neb.

605 S. 14th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508

For directions to the NSEA building, click here.

[Lucian]

7. Agreed.

I love unions, but for the common man. Those who actually work for a living.

I don't care about the NFL union. Those who throw footballs in front of millions of people don't contribute much of anything to society, except a small entertainment value.

IMO, those who deserve to make money are those who bust their asses to make this country run, such as those in manufacturing, retail, doctors, lawyers, nursing, especially teachers.

Forgive me if I don't give two shits about overpaid athletes.

[Omaha Steve]

14. Most NFL players give time & $ to needy charities

IF the chance of making it in the pros keep just one inner city kid off drugs or out of a gang, that's a win. Hero worship for non athletic kids does the same thing.

Several former NFL players from Omaha give so much time to help these kind of kids. And for the most part it goes unnoticed.

Last summer while my grandson was in the hospital, several current NFL players took time to play with him, even though he was (and still is) to young to understand the game at 2 & 1/2 years old.


Now the owners could do a lot to help America. Grant no license for products not made in the USA, and create jobs for thousands that need the work. Long list of what they could do.

And us little people pay to build their stadiums at public cost to boot.

[Lucian]

19. They give to charities because it makes them look good.

It's good PR for them and good publicity. Very few, if any, actually give a shit about the needy.

The Vikings want a new stadium here in MN and they want the taxpayers to flip the bill. Why should my money go to sports organizations, especially to a stadium that I'll never set foot in? If the goddamn team wants a new stadium, the owner(s) should pay for it, not the taxpayers.

[Omaha Steve]

20. I agree on the stadium, aim that at the super rich OWNERS!

"It's good PR for them and good publicity. Very few, if any, actually give a shit about the needy."

What a sour outlook. Ever hear of the "Walter Payton Man of the Year Award"?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Payton_Man_of_the_Year_Award

The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is given annually by the National Football League honoring a player's volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field. Prior to 1999, it was called simply the NFL Man of the Year Award. Shortly after Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton died (having been the 1977 recipient himself), the award was renamed to honor his legacy as both a great player and a humanitarian. Each year, a winner is selected from 32 nominees from the 32 different teams. A panel of judges, which includes the Commissioner of the NFL, Connie Payton (widow of Walter Payton), the previous year's winner, and a number of former players, selects the winner of the award. The Man of the Year winner receives a $25,000 donation in his name to a charity of his choice. The other 31 finalists also receive donations in their name of $1,000 each to charities of their choice.

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winners

Year↓ Player↓ Position↓ Team↓ Ref
1970 Unitas, JohnnyJohnny Unitas Quarterback Baltimore Colts <1>
1971 Hadl, JohnJohn Hadl Quarterback San Diego Chargers <2>
1972 Lanier, WillieWillie Lanier Linebacker Kansas City Chiefs
1973 Dawson, LenLen Dawson Quarterback Kansas City Chiefs
1974 Blanda, GeorgeGeorge Blanda Quarterback Oakland Raiders
1975 Anderson, KenKen Anderson Quarterback Cincinnati Bengals
1976 Harris, FrancoFranco Harris Running Back Pittsburgh Steelers
1977 Payton, WalterWalter Payton Running Back Chicago Bears
1978 Staubach, RogerRoger Staubach Quarterback Dallas Cowboys
1979 Greene, JoeJoe Greene Defensive lineman Pittsburgh Steelers
1980 Carmichael, HaroldHarold Carmichael Wide Receiver Philadelphia Eagles
1981 Swann, LynnLynn Swann Wide Receiver Pittsburgh Steelers
1982 Theismann, JoeJoe Theismann Quarterback Washington Redskins
1983 Benirschke, RolfRolf Benirschke Placekicker San Diego Chargers
1984 Lyons, MartyMarty Lyons Defensive Tackle New York Jets
1985 Stephenson, DwightDwight Stephenson Center Miami Dolphins
1986 Williams, ReggieReggie Williams Linebacker Cincinnati Bengals
1987 Duerson, DaveDave Duerson Safety Chicago Bears
1988 Largent, SteveSteve Largent Wide Receiver Seattle Seahawks
1989 Moon, WarrenWarren Moon Quarterback Houston Oilers
1990 Singletary, MikeMike Singletary Linebacker Chicago Bears
1991 Muñoz, AnthonyAnthony Muñoz Tackle Cincinnati Bengals
1992 Elway, JohnJohn Elway Quarterback Denver Broncos
1993 Thomas, DerrickDerrick Thomas Linebacker Kansas City Chiefs
1994 Seau, JuniorJunior Seau Linebacker San Diego Chargers
1995 Esiason, BoomerBoomer Esiason Quarterback New York Jets
1996 Green, DarrellDarrell Green Cornerback Washington Redskins
1997 Aikman, TroyTroy Aikman Quarterback Dallas Cowboys
1998 Marino, DanDan Marino Quarterback Miami Dolphins
1999 Carter, CrisCris Carter Wide Receiver Minnesota Vikings
2000 Brooks, DerrickDerrick Brooks Linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2000 Flanigan, JimJim Flanigan Defensive Line Chicago Bears
2001 Bettis, JeromeJerome Bettis Running Back Pittsburgh Steelers
2002 Vincent, TroyTroy Vincent Cornerback Philadelphia Eagles
2003 Shields, WillWill Shields Guard Kansas City Chiefs
2004 Dunn, WarrickWarrick Dunn Running Back Atlanta Falcons
2005 Manning, PeytonPeyton Manning Quarterback Indianapolis Colts
2006 Brees, DrewDrew Brees Quarterback New Orleans Saints
2006 Tomlinson, LaDainianLaDainian Tomlinson Running Back San Diego Chargers
2007 Taylor, JasonJason Taylor Defensive End Miami Dolphins
2008 Warner, KurtKurt Warner Quarterback Arizona Cardinals <3>
2009 Waters, BrianBrian Waters Guard Kansas City Chiefs <4>
2010 Williams, MadieuMadieu Williams Safety Minnesota Vikings <5>

[Lucian]

21. I'm a cynical person.

What do you expect?

When I see a celebrity "helping out" for charity, the first thing that comes to my mind is that their doing it for themselves and their image, not for those less fortunate than them.

[CLANG]

16. They are only paid what the market will bear. It's all about supply and demand.

[provis99]

11. being the best at your job means jack squat for how much salary you get.

Even the worst football player in the NFL makes tons of money compared to your average shelf stocker. The greatest shelf stocker in the world makes very little money.

[CLANG]

17. They worst NFL player is worth more than the finest shelve stocker.

It's supply and demand - nothing more.

[girl gone mad]

8. Leverage.

I'm guessing tens of millions of people are qualified to stock shelves.

The number of people who can throw a football successfully in the professional league is significantly lower than that.

[provis99]

9. because the NFL has limited entry.

The only reason they get so much money is that the number of players and number of teams is deliberately limited, in an anti-capitalistic, monopolistic way. Same as for hockey, baseball, and basketball.

If anybody could set up and NFL team and hire players, we'd have thousands of teams, and the average salary would be much lower; that would be consistent with capitalist theory. That's why it ain't gonna happen.

The reason you earn such a low wage is that entry to your field of work is open; if there were only 2,000 shelf stockers allowed in the US, you would be making a hell of a lot more money.

[Lucian]

10. Way to stick up for the overpaid athletes.

It's amazing how us poor folk always have an excuse for the rich.

[provis99]

13. first of all, its the owners who are overpaid

The owners are also the ones engaging in anti-competitive practises by limiting the number of teams and players who can play in the NFL. Secondly,as it is the players doing the actual playing, I'd rather them get the money than the owners, who produce nothing. Thirdly, if the government would go after anti-competitive organizations like sports leagues, owners' profits and player salaries would go way down. I doubt the average player in a league open to hundreds of thousands of players would make much more than minimum wage.

But keep bashing the union worker players for the crooked activities of the owners if it makes you feel good.

[Lucian]

18. Oh, excuse me while I don't give a fuck,

especially about this:if the government would go after anti-competitive organizations like sports leagues, owners' profits and player salaries would go way down. :nopity:

I wouldn't give a shit if player's salaries went down. What I do care about is getting the rest of our salaries and wages to go up. I care about the common man. Not about overpaid athletes who spend their money on booze, drugs, and hookers. It's assholes like them that get a free ride through college, don't do their homework (and actually pay someone to do it for them), just to go in the NFL to get paid millions while I have to go in debt and bust my ass for the A's I get.

But keep excusing and worshiping them.

[CLANG]

15. Wrong union. Try to get in the NFLPA.

[elocs]

23. What a bullshit post. I've read other of your posts elsewere.

Happily I will never again have to read any more of your drivel.

[Kingofalldems]

2. K and R For the union

[Doctor_J]

5. I temper my enthusiasm

He's probably a spirited supporter of every right-wing politician, hate radio host, and Fox "News" propagandist. I am sure he wants the owners to share their wealth, but finds his taxes "socialistic"

I hope I am wrong.

[Kingofalldems]

12. I don't get it either.

Union people siding with those who wish to eliminate unions.

[Jack Rabbit]

22. A union rep who works for a team owned by the city in which it plays

I'm very pleased with the outcome of the Super Bowl.

Take that, Michele Bachmann!

[TygrBright]

24. aw, cripes... not the "overpaid millionaire athletes, blah-blah-blah" meme again...

First: I am not a football fan, or a sports fan of any kind, really. I take a mild interest and watch a game occasionally. I don't hate sports, I don't love them.

Second: I thoroughly agree that the amount of money, attention, etc. that goes to sports is all out of proportion with what is really important in this world. In a world where I ruled everything, pro athletes would be paid about the same as principal actors in a regional repertory company, or orchestra musicians in a mid-size city symphony orchestra. And less than teachers, who would be paid more than bankers and insurance company executives.

Okay? Got all that?

Alright. That said, here is what professional football players do to earn their millionaire salaries: They practice and train on an incredibly demanding, exhausting schedule to perfect not only individual skills, but team skills that are complex, variable, and intricate. They then take these skills and apply them in an environment where they are taking incredible, massive amounts of physical punishment on a regular basis. Punishment that puts their brains at risk from repeated trauma, their limbs at risk from all kinds of kinetic trauma, etc. In fact, the risk isn't WHETHER they will suffer damage, but WHAT TYPES of damage they will suffer and how quickly it will accumulate to end their careers. If they are lucky, they get to practice their profession for ten years, maybe fifteen. Most don't make it that long. And once their careers are over, they face a future of increasing debility and pain from all the damage they suffered.

A few-- a comparatively SMALL percentage-- of the players represented by the players' union manage to do this job so well, and have agents that are tough enough and use their leverage cleverly enough, to make exorbitant amounts of money, most of which gets pissed away in dozens of avoidable and some unavoidable ways. Even among the super-superstars, few retire fabulously wealthy and join the elites at Bilderburg or Bohemian Grove.

The vast majority of those players represented by the union do NOT make exorbitant amounts of money. They are highly paid, but considering the fact that their professional career is short and their working lifespan may be halved by the physical damage that will impair them with increasing pain and decrepitude for the rest of their lives, I don't begrudge it to them.

The players, even the "millionaire pros," are not the villains. More power to them, I say, and every dime they can wring from the sleazy, greedy assholes who own the league and manipulate the sport and care bupkiss about the poor bastards once they're forty six and walking like a seventy-five year old and sleeping three hours at a stretch from the neck pain and headaches, is not too much.

Does the sport need reform? Hell yes. It's the modern version of gladiatorial combat, and practically as dangerous. Have YOU ever been hit by a three-hundred pound man running at you wearing a hard plastic helmet and pads? Cripes.

Yes, the owners are the villains. So are all the machismo-fetishists who want only to see bigger, faster, harder, more violent play, and damn those nancy nellies who would put restrictions on the Sacred Game of Football. And who reward the league owners with their fanatical support, and who displace all their own feelings of rage, inadequacy, and aggression into loudmouthed, beer-fueled obsession and excess.

Yeah, a lot of those millionaire athletes are assholes and pigs, frankly. Would I want to go out to dinner with them? Not particularly. But they are the linchpin of a system that allows a cadre of billionaires who risk NOTHING, who take NO damage, who sit in their skyboxes and sip obscenely expensive liquor and bet vast sums of money with one another, to suck hellacious amounts of cash from the deluded fools who pay thousands of dollars for season tickets and watch every game and allow advertisers to spew pap at them. And I think the players deserve at least a modicum of those profits. And believe me, the millions they are paid to be out there on the field are BARELY a modicum of what the assholes who run the league make.

So yeah, I'm not carping about what they make, and I'm fed up with the kind of misdirection that makes us focus our anger on them, and not on the shitstains who are getting rich off the carnage on the field and the miserable, truncated lives that are the doom of so many professional athletes.

Can we lighten up on the asshole millionaire players, and kvetch about the ones who are truly kvetch-worthy for a while? Just for a coupla days?

wearily,
Bright