Report: Retired NFL players planning to sue EA and Madden for royalties
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Apr 19th 2009 at 5:30PM }
If this story sounds familiar, it's because the same group of 2,062 retirees filed a similar suit against the NFL Players Association last fall, ultimately receiving $28 million in damages. Parrish is asking each of the players involved in last year's lawsuit to put $1,000 of their respective settlements into a "litigation War Chest" with which to seek legal action against the publishing juggernaut and the recently retired commentator, who reportedly "collected over $100,000,000 in royalties while paying the retired NFL players used in those games absolutely nothing."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sage009 @ Apr 19th 2009 5:43PM
What is it with old people always wanting more money than they will ever get around to spending before they die?
Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 19th 2009 5:49PM
Did you even read the article?
The Dark Wayne @ Apr 19th 2009 5:50PM
I think maybe he meant John Madden
Sage009 @ Apr 19th 2009 5:51PM
I did, i just don't see why old people care so much about money that they may never get around to actually taking advantage of
Charlie_Six @ Apr 19th 2009 6:48PM
they give the money to their descendants of course.
Nick8708 @ Apr 19th 2009 7:04PM
Who's to say all of them are "old"? Football players usually don't last far into their 40s, and most retire well before that assuming they aren't forced out even earlier due to injury. Troy Aikman, for instance, is only 42 and he's been retired from football since 2000. Would he be too old to spend this money?
aristokrat @ Apr 19th 2009 7:18PM
Yeah, but many football players don't live past their mid-fifties.
aristokrat @ Apr 20th 2009 12:59AM
Wow, I don't understand where the downvoting came from on that one. I was just bringing some facts to the argument. Average lifespan of someone who's played 5 or more years in the NFL is 55 years of age (or mid-fifties).
One of many sources: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/story/2008/11/19/fifthestate-headgames.html
j.howlett @ Apr 19th 2009 5:43PM
i blame the players association. they seemed to actively try not to take care of retired players.
The Dark Wayne @ Apr 19th 2009 5:48PM
look this is completely off topic but has always bugged me. Why are you named after wolverine, but your avatar is the Geena Davis film Long Kiss Goodnight. I mean wtf, was that movie even that popular?
Markez @ Apr 19th 2009 5:50PM
Yeah, yknow what, I mean it's always been interesting because other than Saria I think you're the only other female that comments here, and I've never understood the movie poster avatar either. I'm pretty sure that was a terrible movie, right?
The Dark Wayne @ Apr 19th 2009 5:50PM
see like that I had no idea you were a lady
Ezio Auditore de Firenze (PSN slycooper_rocker) @ Apr 19th 2009 6:04PM
j.howlett's a chick?
Markez @ Apr 19th 2009 6:04PM
No, but your mom is.
Wait, what?
MystileArmor @ Apr 19th 2009 6:11PM
..and the plot thickens
Ezio Auditore de Firenze (PSN slycooper_rocker) @ Apr 19th 2009 6:15PM
I'M SO CONFUUUUUUUUUUUSED!
EGOvoruhk @ Apr 19th 2009 6:21PM
What!? You guys are crazy! The Long Kiss Goodnight was awesome
j.howlett @ Apr 19th 2009 6:26PM
i picked the name before the avatar. i tried changing it a few times then gave up. i'm not a chick unless you're a chick who want's to get close and trade nekkid pics just ignore the water marks. also the long kiss goodnight is an awesome movie.
Obi-Habby @ Apr 19th 2009 6:28PM
The movie has a naked and hogtied Samuel L Jackson in it. I know that movie is quality because it gets syndicated at 3AM where I live. Right along with all the other greats like Over the Top and Above the Law.
Ezio Auditore de Firenze (PSN slycooper_rocker) @ Apr 19th 2009 6:42PM
I'M STILL CONFUUUUUUUUUUUUUSED
Markez @ Apr 19th 2009 7:09PM
Thanks Obi, now I know to never watch the movie.
Saria the Cat @ Apr 19th 2009 8:34PM
Now I want to know why Markez thought you were a chick. It's unfortunate perhaps but I automatically assume everyone in the video game world is male until proven otherwise by avatars, usernames, etc. I try to cover all the bases and sometimes people still think I am a guy.
Markez @ Apr 19th 2009 9:01PM
Saria, this response in the Jenny McCarthy article - "i've probably started gaming around the same time, but i never let my cheerleading or boys get in the way." So, thought dude was a female. I guess it's safer to stick to assuming we're all mountain dew chugging fatasses.
Saria the Cat @ Apr 19th 2009 9:08PM
@Markez: It's like Lost! One mystery revealed, 5 more birthed!
Markez @ Apr 19th 2009 9:14PM
God this season is really sucking hard. I thought they really peaked in season 2. 3 was good, but it's been downhill since then.
WE HAVE TO GO BAAAaAaaAACK!!!
By the way, I buckled and finally bought another DS game, but I got Rhythm Heaven instead of Hatsworth.
Saria the Cat @ Apr 19th 2009 9:24PM
@Markez: Usually, the more Dharma there is, the happier I am. But they definitely lost the magic Dharma mystery touch that was Season 2. :( Still, Lost's latest episodes are only a small dip in awesomeness compared to the transition from good to eyeball-stabbing atrocious for Heroes Season 1 --> Season 2.
Saria the Cat @ Apr 19th 2009 9:29PM
@Markez: Oh and you suck for not getting Hatsworth.
j.howlett @ Apr 19th 2009 10:49PM
markez, the cheerleading thing was a joke, and the boys part too. i also like the current lost episodes though i wish they'd speed it up a bit and i'm still upset about anna lucia and a few others dying.
mr mobius @ Apr 19th 2009 10:51PM
Indeed, Heroes took a dip during the half season that was S2. S3 part 2 (volume 4) is getting better though.
Prison Break also took a weird turn after they got out of the Mexican jail - they are more like CSI or 24 in the last season. (I hear it's now cancelled) Season 1 was the only true Prison Break season, with 2 being interesting as well.
Markez @ Apr 19th 2009 10:59PM
Yeah, I wish they'd speed it up as well, but I don't know if it would really matter to me since the show has gone so bananas. I like Anna Lucia was a good character, but her death was a pretty fantastic dramatic moment for the series. We got to see that deliciously gorgeous broad Naomi from the freighter on the last episode, so that was a swell moment.
God I hated Michael. WAAaaAAAAaAAAlllLLLlLLLlLLLTTTT!!!!!
j.howlett @ Apr 19th 2009 11:36PM
i liked michael but seeing as his character was so tied to his son who grew up so things got complicated. it also may have something to do with my being a fan of OZ. i like seeing those actors in other things, but law and order svu gets kind of weird.
PR0F3TA @ Apr 20th 2009 1:55AM
LOST!... IMHO, Lost has def lost the great story telling it had Season 1 and 2. So far this season has been slow and seeing Ben getting shot as a kid by Sayid and then not remembering is kinda stupid. The last 2 episodes have been great, Miles and Hurley make great comical relief. Next season is the last season, so thank god for that.
as for Heroes, it sucks, it went from great to boooooring. It was better off when it was Sylar vs. Peter. They shoulda had an epic battle... yet all i see is half ass'd powers
xGeneral DEATHx @ Apr 20th 2009 9:37AM
What is this "Lost" you speak of?
...
...
...*Gets stoned to death*
Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 19th 2009 5:48PM
That picture and headline combination is priceless.
The Dark Wayne @ Apr 19th 2009 5:53PM
I tried doing a frank caliendo esque john madden impersonation but it was just awful.
Markez @ Apr 19th 2009 6:03PM
I'm recycling my material here, but enjoyed it and thought I'd give it another run:
"You see you see what Obie is talking about is when, is when the John Elway throws a football and that, that's called a touchdown, hmkay, and the and the guy who catches it he's a receiver and drinks his Ecto Cooler in the endzone."
AngelicRetribution @ Apr 19th 2009 5:50PM
I don't mind them suing EA but why the hell are they suing Madden. The guys like over 60 years old right?
Just leave the old man enjoy the rest of his days with his money. The guys earned it.
Seems kinda pathetic...
The Dark Wayne @ Apr 19th 2009 5:51PM
yeah nobody over 60 can do anything, just let them die in peace.
Pfft
AngelicRetribution @ Apr 19th 2009 6:01PM
I mean just look at him in that picture. The guy is getting old. I guess it's nostalgia or empathy but I feel nothing but love for the guy. He's done a lot of good things for football and he brought lots of entertainment to millions on MNF.
I think he's earned a peaceful retirement.
Just doesn't seem right...to me at least. Not saying you have to agree.
Kyle @ Apr 19th 2009 6:04PM
"why the hell are they suing Madden"
I'd say that one hundred million may have something to do with it.
Ezio Auditore de Firenze (PSN slycooper_rocker) @ Apr 19th 2009 6:07PM
yeah sprinkles, that's horrible. ea really should be the only target. bringing madden into it isn't fair at all.
The Dark Wayne @ Apr 19th 2009 6:20PM
im not commenting on what you think madden deserves or not, just that you're acting like people over 60 aren't capable of functioning on themselves, at least not at a level to swindle away money
Markez @ Apr 19th 2009 6:21PM
Madoff is like 70. You know, the guy who 'made off' with your money HARHARHAHRHARHR
Nick8708 @ Apr 19th 2009 7:10PM
I think they're suing him because supposedly he knew that the retired players were receiving no compensation and did nothing to change that fact. It might be that they're not actually trying to take any money from him (but who knows maybe the law states his knowledge of the exploitation, if provable, is worth compensation), but rather that they're trying to put him in a position where he'd either have to fight back or protect his public image and side with them against EA. I'm interested in finding how all this turns out.
Saria the Cat @ Apr 19th 2009 8:38PM
Maybe Madden's not aging well but I also want to say that 60 isn't old. My grandpa is 70 and he still practices dentistry. He retired only 5 years ago.
That's not to say that I think people 60+ shouldn't be able to retire. I think our country makes it terribly hard to retire that early and it's a shame most people have to work so long and so hard into old age.
Ezio Auditore de Firenze (PSN slycooper_rocker) @ Apr 19th 2009 6:03PM
football players attacking giant enemy EA's weakpoint for MASSIVE DAMAGE!!!
sorry, i was just watchin this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g1fr5vk72M
F1: Basu Gasu Bakuhatsu @ Apr 19th 2009 6:14PM
Well Japan's got 2 inch wasps so I wouldn't doubt the existence of giant enemy crabs just yet.
Also RIIIIIIIIDDDGEEEEE RAAAAAAAACCCEEEERRRR
Poisoned Al @ Apr 19th 2009 6:07PM
I'm guessing someone is wishing they put that money they made playing into a savings account, instead of buying tones of shiny objects. Or maybe paid more attention to those "class" things at collage.
But hey, this is AMERICA! It's your GOD GIVEN RIGHT to be a loud, annoying, douche bag with an entailment complex!
aristokrat @ Apr 19th 2009 7:22PM
Tons (or tonnes), college, and entitlement.
That is all.
Nick8708 @ Apr 19th 2009 7:28PM
You do realize that at least a few of these players played back in the late 40s and early 50s, well before football was a millions per year job right? Even disregarding that small number of players, seeing as how you know little to nothing about any of the players involved in the suit, especially their salary history, their current net worth, and how they spent their earnings, it's foolish to portray these men in that way.
Perhaps you should look into this "collage" thing yourself. Perhaps you'd be able to spell "college" and know the difference between the words "entitlement" and "entailment".