Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I hope I'm not that stupid when I am 73.

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Former Packers and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Herb Adderley isn't pleased with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Adderley, 73, was asked Monday in a SiriusXM radio interview about comments that Brees previously made about the reason behind the financial struggles of some former NFL players. The radio show's host, Chris Russo, read this Brees quote from the 2011 NFL labor negotiations:

"There are some guys out there who have made bad business decisions. They took their pensions early because they never went out and got a job. They've had a couple of divorces and are making payments to this place and that place, and that's why they don't have money. And they're coming to us to basically say, 'Please make up for my bad judgment.' "

Adderley didn't take kindly to that point of view.

"Drew Brees is misinformed," Adderley said. "He had no idea what was going on as far as why. He never came to any of the guys and said, ‘Well, why did you have to take an early pension?' He just made up his own mind about why some guys were in bad shape financially, and he just came out and made statements like that.

"In my mind, Drew Brees is one of the greediest guys and misinformed guys in the NFL today. Last year, he held out because he wanted more money. The guy's already made millions and millions and millions of dollars, but he's going to hold out for more money. And then he comes down on the retired guys for just wanting a few more dollars for the time that the cornerstones, what we put in the league.

"You know, the NFL Network just put out a thing with the 100 greatest players; I was on that list ... No. 64 on that list. ... The guys deserve something, but Brees came down so tough on us. And none of us are fans of Brees because of him being misinformed. I needed the money. I needed to put my daughter through school, and she ended up being a very successful dentist at the particular time in Washington, DC. If I don't do that, she don't end up going to college. I think he'll change his mind if he understands what guys needed the money for."

Adderley: Brees greedy, misinformed

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Brees greedy? I think he's raised and given out millions of dollars through his Brees Dream foundation as well as given millions of his own to charitable causes. Misinformed? Well, maybe. But seeing how he said "some" guys made bad business decisions, not "all" guys, I think what he said is correct. Sure, he asked for and got a lot of money in his new contract. But the market for players of his caliber is what it is. If I could get $20 million a year to do my job, I'd certainly grab it and I wouldn't apologize for it either. These older players are making Brees a scapegoat for their misery. Why is it that some of them are comfortably retired and others aren't? It's because some of them made bad decisions and some didn't. Brees' statement was basically correct.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

As much as I love Brees I can't argue with that.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I'm not crazy about how much money players are asking for these days either, but it's always been about "market value". I hate it, but it is what it is. Players back then were no different. They didn't make as much money as players do now because the league was relatively new, and values were much lower. But you can't tell me those guys weren't asking for as much as they could get.

As for this Adderley guy, his story about putting his daughter through college is nice, but doesn't prove Brees' point wrong. He used his pension to pay for his daughters college, but most people just save up money as they go to use on their children's college fund. So again, if this guy ends up broke because he had to use his pension on his daughter, then that's sad, but it's not the NFL's responsibility. WE raise our own kids, not somebody else.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I still agree with brees...
They played football. They may have not made millions but FFS it's not the NFL's job to surpport them forever. Some people do need to goto work at age 30.... I just can't believe this is an issue

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Whatever, sounds like most Obama supporters.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Problem is Drew brees is 100% righ on this.
They agreed to those contracts. Don't complain you failed to prepair for the future. Yes Drew Brees has a large contract but its what he and Tom benson agreed to..
Can't blame the guy for that......
Unless Drew comes back in 15 years saying he needs a handout

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Drew has raised and given out millions of dollars through his Brees Dream foundation as well as given millions of his own to charitable causes.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Greed... where's Gordon Gekko when you need an expert opinion.

In the great scheme of things, I don't know many people who retire at 35 years of age, but I do know people who have lost their cars, boats, homes, to bad business investments, multiple marriages, and plain old debauchery. They don't get to go back to the companies they worked for and demand they be given more money because said companies are now worth 1000% what they were worth 20-30 years ago, and while the companies still benefit today from whatever is it that those ex-employees did.

I am also pretty sure that plenty of American parents cash in IRAs, 401Ks, take on second mortgages, etc to put their kids through college, so Mr Abberley, boo-f*ing-hoo.

Drew Brees may be greedy, sure, but his profession has shifted from what it used to be. It used to be football players were paid to play football. Now they are paid for their marketability; no different from a movie star commanding 20 mil for 4-5 weeks of work shooting a movie.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I wish Drew would quit wading into these issues but he has a point. Players retired and tried to keep living like they were still playing and simply ran out of money. Now they're trying to say that today's players should be picking up the tab on their lifestyle.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Touchy subject for all players, current and past. I'm sure part of what Drew was conveying and the reason for what Mr Adderley did with his money was valid. Every player has a story, some squandered millions, some made wise decisions and succeeded. I don't think what Drew said was wrong, nor entirely disagree with Mr Adderley's position. Every person is responsible for their own selves,,,it is what it is.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Big picture, most NFL players don't make that much. Factor in the length of the average career (2 years), additional medical costs, and having to get back to the real world for another 40-50 years. And how many of them live a modest lifestyle, almost none. Now add a divorce to it. Brees is right. Financial responsiblity falls on them alone. I'm willing to bet if the NFL said no, you can't cash out your pension the same ones complaining now would be complaining they could not get to the money they earned.

I do agree that things are better for players now than say 25 years ago but that is life. It happens in almost every line of work. Policies change, agreements change.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

There are only 5 or 6 people in the world that can do what Brees does. That's why he gets the big bucks.

Why isn't Jim Brown making a big deal about it?

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I'm not taking sides. Just pointing out that Mr. Adderly's salary in 1972 was almost $50,000, his 11th season in the league. Over that time period, he amassed more than $90,000 in bouses associated with playoff games. He was the first black man drafted by and to play for the Packers in 1961, and was underpaid during his first 9 seasons relative to other white players. His rookie contract was for 4 seasons and, at the time, with no free agency, Green Bay dictated his salary. When free agency was available, Mr. Adderly signed with the Cowboys, who, essentially, doubled his salary.

In today's dollars, his peak year earning (1972) was [(229.6/41.8)*$50K)] $274,600. Minimum wage in 2012 was $380,000.

I just want to remind some posters that being ignorant of history is no reason to post statements about what former players should have or could have done from that era. It's like the statement by the NRA lobbiest who said that if slaves had guns they might have had it better in the US.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

.... but that's true of any occupation from cab driver to neurosurgeon. I would hate for my counterpart from 50 years ago to come up and demand money from me, because they didn't save enough to live on, just because I make more now than they did then (when gas was 25 cents a gallon). The point is that no matter what you make, save enough to live on and don't expect to be taken care of by society.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

On face value of the original statement, removing the author. What the author makes is irrelevant, had the author had his hand out having burnt through all of his money that would be a different story.

"There are some guys out there who have made bad business decisions." This is true

"They took their pensions early because they never went out and got a job." This is true

"They've had a couple of divorces and are making payments to this place and that place, and that's why they don't have money." again true statement about at least one.

And they're coming to us to basically say, 'Please make up for my bad judgment.' " Again correct.

With the use of the word "some" the statement is entirely accurate. Had he said most, all, a lot, then I could see "some" people getting offended.

"Some" meaning at least one, followed by "guy(s)" meaning at least 2.

Some - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Again, not taking sides, just pointing out that the conditions of segregation, wage discrimination, no freedom of labor competition, and the unwillingness of owners to invest in technologies that would mitigate injury are not present in the current system.

A more apt equivalency would be coal workers who worked in despicable conditions and poor wages, limited to no pension, and who suffered later in life, should have planned better for their unforseen catastrophic issues that nearly all faced.

Sure, they all could have been investment bankers, or they all could have chosen to be born in a period of history that recognized the real risks and opportunity costs.

I hope you aren't planning to take your social security, (a third of what you deserve based on what you contributed) or medicare (less than one tenth). "Society" picking up the tab for your inability to save or plan is probably abhorent to you. I will alert the Treasury to be on the lookout for your check.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

In 1972 the average house hold income was $10,000-$12,000. He earned $50,000.
I still don't understand why he is complaining.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

IMO....I feel like some of these former players are just looking for a reason to be bitter. Brees' statement said SOME not ALL players squandered their money. and he feels like the new generation shouldnt have to come out of their pockets because of the older generation's mistakes. I don't see how that particular logic is flawed. If some of these guys feel like Brees is attacking them or being greedy or disrespectful...obviously they in part are in that SOME category and it struck a chord.

The continued bashing of Drew Brees is unwarrented IMO. He's telling the truth. The only guys, to me, that should be getting any kind of extra money are the guys that have onging physical issues because of their time in the NFL. And that should come from the NFL themselves, not from current players.

But its whatever....let these guys bash Brees in the media...its not gonna stop him from getting paid or making contributions to his community. All of it is just bitterness. These guys lived and played during a time where society and economy didn't dictate that they could possibly get paid millions. Its not the current players fault that the economy, society, and NFL changed to this point. And anyone of these guys complaining that they have no money and want the current players to come out of their pocket is a hypocrite....cuz they would be reluctant come out of their pocket if they were in the same situations.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I wish I could make 5x the average house income for 9 years. Some folks barely make now what he made in 1972!

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I'm assuming that Social Security and Medicare will be long extinct by the time I'm eligible. I don't consider either in my retirement planning.... but thanks for the tip.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

In regards to striking a chord... Brees made that statement in 2011 correct?

Adderley it would seem has held on to that anger for nearly two years. Why wait two years? Why in the fk would Russo want to bring this up now?

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Maybe that is what the old players are hoping for and maybe not. It is hard to say. I do wish Drew would collect his millions and shhh.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I get it... Adderley is angry because of the way things were back then.

I seriously doubt Drew's example had to go back to find someone 73 years old for fitting examples.

He probably only had to go back to yesterdays Terrell Owens or Mike Vick.

Adderley probably deserves some assistance, I do not know his story. TO deserves nada.. I know his story. However TO would benefit.

Here is the list Drew was talking about with examples... Topping the list is Dam Marino.
78 Percent of NFL Players Bankrupt or Broke

Ten Reasons Why NFL Players Go Broke | National Football Post

Warren Sapp's sad bankruptcy auction not the first?or last?tale of Jocks Gone Broke - NFL - Sporting News

Unnecessary comment.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Didn't these guys go to college? Don't they have a degree?

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I make nowhere close to $50 000 today but I still think Mr Adderly is more right than wrong on this matter.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

If he played now, he would want to get paid as much as possible and might feel the same way. Pot meet kettle and while he's at it st*u

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

I know... $275,000 a year today is such a slave wage... with the average salary of today's Joe Schmoe being a whooping $40,000... oh, wait.

... so Mr Adderley got a 1 time payment of $50,000 dlls, his biggest payday. He could have gone out and bought himself a brand new Cadillac Fleetwood 75 and still have $40,000 (which is 4 times what the average American made in 1972), or instead of buying the new Cadi, put those $10,000 into a CD or just aside in a plain old savings account to pay for her daughter's college. I am going to take a wild guess as to which one Mr Adderley chose.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

The article should have ended like this.....

:dunce:

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

It all sounds like sour grapes in what is now an entitlement society.

Someone always has to pay for someone elses mistakes.

All a bunch of B.S.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

i am going with drew was not talking about players that far back. drew i am sure is aware of the difference the birth of the NFL to the 80's is all about. once football started those major deals with TV it was a different world. just as it was with all major sports.

TV is killing professional sports. most people here know not to get me started on this topic

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

Local charities receive more than $1 million thanks to Drew Brees charity contest | NOLA.com

I don't think so fellas.

Re: Adderley: Brees ‘greedy’ and ‘misinformed’
 

How about this.

Just because certain people believe they are "enlightened" and all others are fools, does not mean they are correct. Your point failed to make the statement it was intended to make.

It has already been acknowledged that players made less money back then. We know the history, but thanks for the jab anyway. The fact that free agency didn't exist does not mean there was no such thing as market value. Free agency is what allowed bidding wars to begin and has brought on these enormous contracts we see today. But even though players of old did not have free agency, they still had the right to demand more money based on their performance, as compared to other players in the league. Their teams could either pay up, or release the player. Obviously, if you have a player who is valuable enough to your team, you wouldn't just let him walk. Free agency just gave players freedom to negotiate with other teams.

Tobias already stated the other point I wanted to make, which is, Adderley's peak year earnings where at least five times that of the average person in that time. The argument you're making is only stating what we already know. Players made less then, than they do today... Well, everyone made less then, than they do now. It used to cost about a quarter to go to the movies. The cost of living was much lower then. So what is Adderley's excuse?

Those guys wanted as much as they could get then. It's irrelevant how it compares to today. These are much different, and more expensive times. If the average Joe could put his kids through college back then making a fifth of what Adderley did, then why did he have to use his pension? He blew his money, plain and simple. I'm not glad that he's struggling, but he could have done something else after football. Why didn't he?