NFL and union will cough up $100 a month towards Medicare supplement

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Don't get me started on the latest magnanimous gesture of the NFL. And I say that with all the sarcasm I can muster.

The league has been humbled by the plight of retired players who have a difficult time making ends meet, keeping a roof over their heads and getting necessary medical care. They believe that most of that care is related to the toll on their bodies from their years in the NFL.

We have heard Mike Ditka speak on the subject as well as former Packer great Jerry Kramer. Wives of retired players like Sylvia Mackey have taken center stage at times to raise awareness about the condition of their husbands.

The league and its union have pitted the active players against the retirees by insisting that the money for needy older men must come from the the salary cap numbers that apply to those on NFL rosters today. That has caused undue stress between the active union members and the men who claim they gave up their bodies so that the youngsters can make millions a year. It's not pretty.

The former head of the NFL Players Association, the late Gene Upshaw was from that older generation of former players and the animus that existed between him and some of his former teammates was palpable. The league and union, in the last few years have established some programs to address the needs of players with dementia and those who require joint replacement.

But the biggest issue for the retired players who are approaching or already at the age of 65 has always been medical coverage. In its latest move to try and satisfy that vocal group, the union and league announced a monthly stipend for all players over the age of 65 and who are fully vested in the pension plan. It is to be used towards a Medicare supplemental plan. If you know anything about the cost of medication today, that small stipend doesn't get you very far. But as the league likes to say, it's better than anything that other sports organizations offer their retired players well after they have retired.

What they never seem to want to address is the difference between the shape of one's body after a career, no matter how long, in the NFL vs. say Major League Baseball.