NFL players suit up, bring fight over profits to D.C.

By Frederic J. Frommer • ASSOCIATED PRESS • July 16, 2009

WASHINGTON — Pro football players swept across Capitol Hill on Wednesday and asked lawmakers to take a tough look at owners' profits as the two sides prepare to decide how to divide their big pot of TV money.

During the lobbying visits, the NFL players union head urged members of Congress to consider the potential impact of labor strife on retired and disabled players. They could lose health and other benefits unless there is a deal soon, Executive Director DeMaurice Smith said.

The contract between players and owners doesn't expire for two years, but only one more season will have a salary cap. When that goes, Smith said, so does the league's responsibility for paying its share of the benefits for retired and disabled players. The league denies that.

"I don't think it's morally right" for those athletes to see their benefits reduced "when a league makes $8 billion a year," Smith said during a meeting with Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., and several players.