NFL players union opposes Goodell’s call for players to report on teammates’ concussions

November 20th, 2009 Union says NFL concussion expert is biasedNEW YORK — The NFL Players Association wants the league to remove the co-chairman of the league's committee on concussions because the union believes he is biased. Dr. Ira Casson has criticized independent and league-sponsored studies linking NFL careers with heightened risk for dementia and cognitive decline, saying more research is needed.

November 18th, 2009 Responses to AP survey of 160 NFL playersData from The Associated Press' interviews about concussions with five players from each of the NFL's 32 teams. A total of 160 players, almost 10 percent of the league, were questioned in the unscientific sampling conducted from Nov.

November 12th, 2009 Cardinals' Morey says he played with concussionTEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals wide receiver and special teams player Sean Morey says he played with a concussion against the Chicago Bears last Sunday even though he has taken a lead role in raising awareness of head injuries.

October 2nd, 2009 Weiner moves step closer to succeeding FehrNEW YORK — Michael Weiner has moved a step closer to succeeding Donald Fehr as head of the baseball players' union. Players voted 1,055 to 4 to endorse the executive board's recommendation in July that Weiner become the next executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

October 2nd, 2009 Union forms concussion committeeWASHINGTON — The NFL Players Association has formed a committee to address the issue of head trauma among players. The NFLPA's concussion and traumatic brain injury committee will address diagnosis, treatment and prevention of concussions and brain injuries in active players; and the long-term cumulative effects of isolated or repetitive traumatic brain injuries in NFL players as patients.

September 14th, 2009 NFL players promise brains to concussion researchBOSTON — Three NFL players announced Monday they will donate their brains and spinal cord tissue to a Boston University medical school program that studies sports brain injuries. Even though dozens of former NFL players have agreed to donate their brains after death, Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu and Arizona Cardinals receiver Sean Morey are the first active players to do so.

August 31st, 2009 Kelly out as head of NHL players' unionCHICAGO — Paul Kelly is out as executive director of the NHL Players' Association. The union announced Monday at its annual meeting that its executive board had voted "overwhelmingly" to remove Kelly.

August 8th, 2009 Baseball union urges caution on 'steroid' listNEW YORK —Just because a player was on the list of names seized by the government doesn't guarantee he tested positive for steroids, the players' association says. In a statement Saturday ahead of a news conference at Yankee Stadium, union general counsel Michael Weiner says the number of players on the list exceeds those that the union and management agreed had tested positive.

August 8th, 2009 Union: Being on list doesn't assume positive testNEW YORK —Just because a player was on the list of names seized by the government doesn't guarantee he tested positive for steroids, the players' association says. In a statement Saturday ahead of a news conference at Yankee Stadium, union general counsel Michael Weiner says the number of players on the list exceeds those that the union and management agreed had tested positive.

July 8th, 2009 Weiner given preliminary approval to succeed FehrNEW YORK — Michael Weiner has been approved unanimously by the Major League Baseball Players Association executive board to succeed Donald Fehr as the union's head. The board decided during a conference call Tuesday to put the decision to a vote of its full membership, which includes players, managers, coaches and trainers.

June 22nd, 2009 Fehr to retire as head of baseball players' unionNEW YORK — Donald Fehr is retiring as head of the baseball players' association after more than a quarter-century in charge of the powerful labor union. Fehr, who turns 61 next month, said Monday he will retire no later than the end of March.

June 12th, 2009 Q Trent Green retires after 15 seasonsST. LOUIS — Former Pro Bowl quarterback Trent Green has decided to retire, according to an online report.

June 4th, 2009 Yahoo sues NFL Players AssociationMINNEAPOLIS — Yahoo Inc. is suing the NFL Players Association to try to ensure it won't be sued for using player statistics, photos and other data for its popular online fantasy football game.

June 2nd, 2009 Fire damages NFLPA officeWASHINGTON — A small fire has damaged the office of NFL players' union head DeMaurice Smith. The union says the fire started in a bathroom off the office at about 5 a.m.

May 30th, 2009 Union wants to unite retired NFL playersPALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The NFL Players Association wants the support of various groups of retired players in its upcoming contract talks with the league.