9 Billion Dollar NFL Machine Stopping? 2-20-11

Jeff Christensen & Robin Earl

The NFL CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) looms large in the media as Jeff & I begin show #7. The argument continues between Billionaires (NFL Owners) and Millionaires (NFL Players). Each side refuses to budge and the eventual loser...YOU the FAN!

Crazy as it sounds, the NFL owners could lock-out the players and shut down the 2011 season. Will that happen? Maybe, most likely not. Hopefully both sides come to the conclusion...Why mess up a good thing?

We were hoping to have the play by play voice of the Chicago Bulls, Chuck Swirsky on today's show, but his travel schedule made it impossible. So like a couple of QB's, Jeff and I sent an audible to our producer John Neff and got former NFL Nose Tackle Dave Pear on the phone.

Dave Pear with his lovely wife Heidi

David Pear was a teammate with me at the University of Washinton. He had an outstanding NFL career with Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Oakland from 1975-80. Dave was the first Tampa Bay Buccaneers player to be selected to the Pro Bowl and played in Super Bowl XV for the winning Oakland Raiders.Through his football career, Pear suffered a number of injuries which required spinal surgery and hip replacement and have resulted in vertigo, memory loss and speech impairment. Pear started a blog with a friend, Robert Lee, in February 2008 which discusses retired players' disability and pension issues. He has been quoted saying, "The NFL destroys families." "I wish I had never played." He has also been quoted saying, "Don't let your kids play football. Never."   Dave Pear's Blog

Dave and Robert Lee is putting on the very First Annual Independent Football Veterans Conference! Held in Las Vegas at the South Point Resort & Casino March 24–27, 2011. This Conference will provide an open platform for retired players to attend and participate in discussions on important topics ranging from benefits to the latest information on brain health and concussions, as well as social events that will allow our attendees to catch up on the old days.

To listen to the entire show heard live on Sunday's at midnight on AM 560 WIND 
click on the following link: Download Podcast