Ditka testifies about disability dispute between NFL, players' union

June 26, 2007 (WLS) -- Former Bears coach Mike Ditka took his fight to help retired NFL players to Washington Tuesday. He testified at a hearing on the NFL's pension and disability system.

Mike Ditka has been affiliated with the NFL for nearly five decades. He said this battle in Washington wasn't about him, it was about the players who suffered broken bones, brain damage -- empty bank accounts -- in what some call the most punishing sport. But Congress took aim Tuesday at the way the $7 billion league and its union is running the disability fund.

"The disability system, to me, is broken. Fix it, do the right thing," Ditka said.

Mike Ditka is used to giving motivational speeches after all he lead the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl championship, but now he is hoping that his words will lead to a winning plan to help former players. The coach took his game plan to Congress Tuesday and testified before a House committee about life after football.

"They're frustrated. These are proud people. They played this game heroically, and they have as much right to say they are part of this game as much as anyone else playing the game today," said Ditka.

Ditka has been the voice for these players, especially former Jacksonville Jaguar Brain D'Marco. He has been homeless three times in the last four years. Today he is disabled, uninsured and broke because he can't get the NFL to hear his claim for disability benefits.

"Somebody has got to step to help guys the like me," said Brian DeMarco, former offensive lineman.

Congress took aim Tuesday at the way the $7 billion league and its union is running the disability fund.

"We believe these are the most generous disability benefits in professional sports, perhaps in the entire business world," said Douglas Ell, NFL players retirement plan attorney.

Players face an ocean of NFL and government paperwork, with little assistance, but lots of discouragement.

"They don't administrate anything. It's a bunch of red tape and bureaucracy. "I don't care who's fault it is, their money is there, the resources are there to take care of these people who need it. That is all we are asking," said Ditka.

NFL and NFL Players Association representatives noted that the benefits in the disability and pension systems are set through collective bargaining negotiations between players and the owners.

There have been an estimated 8,000 players going back more than half a century. Officials say only around 300 receive disability benefits.

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