NFL Bonuses: Does Anyone Give a Darn?

Once upon a time.... 

The old-timer is sitting in a park, alone. A man walks by with his son and points to the man on the park bench. The man says, "He was a great NFL football player back in the 1960s." The young boy asks, "Dad, can we get his autograph?"

This scenario is one that honors the memory of the old NFL player's past. The NFL player doesn't say a word, but thinks and compares. He realizes that his day is past; his memories are fading. A few honor him, but so many whisper dishonor. 

His lifestyle has changed. His pension is between $1400 and $1600, for example.  He has a niece who knows how to use the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation calculator. The niece tells him, "Uncle, in 1964, your NFL retirement check would have the buying power of $194.85."

"Uncle, if you had been in the NFL draft on April 25-26, 2009 and if your bonus were $10,000,000 then if we extrapolate back to 1964, you would have gotten $1,457,390.14."

"Uncle, your sister, my mother said, you only got $2000 for your bonus in 1964."

"Uncle, if you actually got a $2000 bonus in 1964, then its buying power would be $13,723.16 in 2009."

"Uncle, does the NFL give a darn that some of your football career data is still considered outstanding, yet your lifestyle has "low-standing" because your pension is so low?"

"Uncle, does anyone give a darn?"

The conversation continues: "Uncle, there seems to be a discrepancy. Does anyone care?"

"Uncle, lean close to the laptop and check out this inflation calculator and answer me:  DOES ANYONE GIVE A DARN?"

http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

 Note:  Based on a true situation.