According to Arash Mazaki of ESPN, David Baker and DeMaurice Smith will boycott their Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. The two of them wrote a letter to NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell, claiming that they would not attend their own induction ceremony unless they received health insurance and an annual salary from the league.

Smith served as the Executive Director of the NFL Player Association beginning in 2009. He was influential in helping NFL players and owners reach an agreement during the 2011 NFL lockout. Smith also promoted player education, contract negotiation, and long-term health care during his time working for the NFL.

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Baker is currently the President and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Since assuming this role in 2014, he has helped Canton transition into a new phase of life. Baker has brought tremendous revenue, growth, and popularity to the Hall of Fame.

In this letter to Goodell, Smith, and Baker point out various aspects of NFL contracts that are inferior to their counterparts in other sports. MLB players who are on a roster for one day receive health insurance for life, while players get it for five years after their retirement. The letter also states that the total cost of health insurance for every living Hall of Famer would only cost $4 million, which is less than a 30-second Super Bowl ad.

The letter is signed by notables players like Eric Dickerson, Mel Blount, Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, and others. All eyes are on Goodell to see how he responds to this pressing issue.