It's been a few days since a Federal Jury ordered that the NFLPA was to pay over $28 million dollars to former players for using their likeness various years on Madden's video game franchise, and the announcer has yet to make a comment regarding the suit.

The back story is simple, and if you've ever played the game you'll know exactly what the lawsuit refers to. For years the Madden games would have "All-Time" teams that used just former player's numbers and likenesses, but not their names. A group sued on their behalf and it even came out in testimony that one official even told EA to "scramble" the players names and numbers so they couldn't be paid.

Now that they've been awarded the money, some of the ex-players want to hear at least some comments from Madden himself. Via Fox Sports....

The class-action lawsuit was filed in 2007 on behalf of 2,062 former NFL players, about 570 of whom were found to have appeared in various versions of "Madden" without compensation. The games include 142 vintage teams, among them the '66 Packers, the '71 Cowboys and a seemingly inordinate number of Raider teams. According to a plaintiff's exhibit, the Madden '05 Collector's Edition for PlayStation 2 includes every Raiders team from 1967-1977 except '73. Anyone who played for Oakland in those years played for Madden. In fact, the plaintiffs include any number of storied Raiders, guys like Ken Stabler, Jim Otto, Dave Casper and Ben Davidson.

"If John Madden knew that they were scrambling us, it's a disgrace," said Herb Adderley, a Hall of Fame defensive back who initiated the suit. "If he didn't know, well, no blame to him. ... But I'm sure he's seen some of these video games himself. I mean, I played against the Raiders in the Super Bowl. He can obviously see that the guy on '66 Packers and the '71 Cowboys is Herb Adderley.

"He should say something. It would really help if he would come out and say something to heal the animosity between the current and the retired players. It's been a real bad thing."

I never really thought things like this were a big deal, but if someone were to use my likeness in say a blogging video game and I didn't get anything out of it, I'd probably be a little upset too. And I'm pretty sure a Sports Blogging video game probably wouldn't approach the profits that Madden has. It'll be interesting to see if Madden discusses the issue, but if I were Herb Adderley, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Madden can be agent for change in NFL union (Fox Sports)

Last time it was Dan versus Jay Bilas, but for this one Le Batard is just sticking to moderator. On today's radio show he had on Kyle Turley and ex-NFL Player and ESPN Analyst Robert Smith to debate the NFLPA's Disability Program and things got, well pretty heated to say the least (NSFW language around 2:30).....

Wow. It's not often that you hear two ex-NFL players going at it like that. This is only a 3 minute snipet of over a 25 minute debate that's worth a full listen if you have the time.

Dan Le Batard's radio show is becoming a must listen as of late.

Kyle Turley and Robert Smith (790 The Ticket)
Radio Fight! Le Batard vs Bilas (Awful Announcing)