George Martin criticizes DeMaurice Smith

There's a major feud brewing between NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and NFL Alumni Association George Martin, the former New York Giants defensive end.

Here's the general gist of the dispute:

Reacting to criticism from retired players, Smith told SB Nation that Martin has declined to support a Legacy Fund that would give money to retired players. Smith also said that Martin and the NFL Alumni group haven't responded to a letter from him asking them to support his request asking the league to open up its financial books.

"The NFL Alumni has a new leader named George Martin and we've asked him to support this Legacy Fund idea," Smith said. "And he hasn't. Why would a guy who supposedly has a job to support former players not endorse for the first time funds coming from teams for his former teammates? Our retired players group has asked the league to turn over their audited financials because if we know truly what their profit numbers are maybe we could come to the conclusions as to whether teams can't pay for pensions or whether they don't want to. But the NFL Alumni has refused to endorse a call for more transparency. Why would you do that?

"Well, you know, you've got a group of people in Dallas who want to put the NFLPA on notice? Well, when are they going to get around to putting their former employer on notice? When are they going to ask for the level of transparency that every major financial institution has to live with but the NFL does not?"

In a blog on the NFL Alumni website, Martin responded with a stinging rebuttal where he blasted Smith for his lack of communication.

Here's the text of Martin's remarks:

"Yesterday, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith continued his practice of spreading rumor, falsehoods and innuendo concerning the issues facing retired NFL players in an article on sbnation.com (you can read the full interview by clicking HERE ). As in the past, it is apparent that Mr. Smith is playing a game of smoke and mirrors to serve a political end that in no way addresses the quality of life needs and concerns of NFL alumni. I understand Mr. Smith and realize as a Washington DC lawyer he continues to play lawyer games. It is also very apparent that Mr. Smith views the issues facing alumni as nothing but a political poker chip for him to shuffle across the table as he sees fit. The issues facing retired NFL players and their families are real and affect real people and are much more important than beltway politics and lawyer games."

"Like the former players in Dallas that Mr. Smith referenced, I feel it’s time for Mr. Smith to stop playing games and most importantly, tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth Put the chips on the table and stop playing around with the lives of the men who built this game."

"On a personal note, I find it preposterous that Mr. Smith would mention he has had no communications with me without telling the whole story. Since October 2009, I have constantly called, emailed, sent letters and text messages to Mr. Smith requesting a meeting. To this day, Mr. Smith ignores my requests. I played 14 years in the trenches of the NFL. I stood up with my peers and was counted during two strikes. I proudly served as served as both captain of the NY Giants and NFLPA President. I, along with thousands of other alumni, built the house Mr. Smith occupies today. Yet, it’s apparent he only wants to meet with those alumni who are in agreement with his every move of the chess piece."

"The issues facing retired players are not about DeMaurice Smith and George Martin or any fund they can introduce to assist retired players. Retired players are sick of new funds and the red tape that comes with them. As I told NFL owners, the quickest and most impactful way to improve the quality of life for all retired NFL players is to immediately increase pensions outside the constraints of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Earlier this year, NFL owners responded with an offer to the union that would have immediately placed $100 million in the pension fund. Unfortunately, Mr. Smith’s words on retired player issues did not align with his actions when the union countered the owners’ proposal with an offer that tied the increase in pensions to an extension of the current CBA."

"While Mr. Smith continues to play this out in the public space and make statements filled with falsehoods and innuendo, close to 130 former NFL players have died without the pensions and benefits they deserve. As Mr. Smith wants to take the long and arduous road of establishing a new Legacy fund, another NFL great has died while marred in the red tape of current funds and programs."

"It’s evident, that while Mr. Smith preaches a message of a new day in the union’s relationship and support of its retired players, his actions support the theology of a previous regime."

What can we make out of all of this?

Smith and Martin should have a talk and iron out their differences for the sake of their two constituencies.

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