Union Under Fire From Ditka

Mike Ditka, the celebrated NFL coach who once helped subvert the 1987 players' union strike, has recently added his voice to a growing chorus of players and coaches concerned that the union is not doing enough for its retired players. The discussion is spurred by ongoing revelations of the long-term havoc a decade of football wreaks on players' brains.

Examples include the suicide of former Eagles safety Andre Waters, whose brain at 44 resembled an 85-year-old's with mild Alzheimer's, and Hall-of-Fame center Mike Webster, who died homeless in 2002. One of his players accused Ditka of an about-face: "Mike was not one who gave a damn about the players or their injuries when he was coaching." (More NFL stories.)