Football coach Dennis "Denny" Green was a true believer in fighting the good fight. Green was a coach for thirty-six years and was involved in various endeavors outside of coaching. Green was not only an accomplished professional; he made an impact on the life of every person he chose to interact with, and he was not shy about interjecting his opinion on any issue.
Green's lasting legacy may be his triumphs as a leader on the field, but he should be remembered first and foremost as a fighter who never gave up on a cause in which he believed. His last words to me were in the form of a slightly modified quote from former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln - "Things may come to those who wait, but only things left by those who hustle."
In the latter part of his life, leading up to his untimely death at the age of sixty-seven years old as first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, Green became preoccupied with a particular fight off the field. The battlefield was the realm of law, where Green was determined to achieve victory and receive payments that he believed he was rightfully owed.
It was not so much the money, but instead principal, which guided Green in his fight for compensation. Executives of the now-defunct United Football League (UFL) were his opposition and his aggressiveness was particularly appealing to me.
Green was not only going to battle for himself, but for dozens of players who performed in the UFL and were never paid during a shortened season in 2012. In early 2013, seventy-eight former UFL players filed a lawsuit against the league and William "Bill" Hambrecht, an investment banker and charter member of the UFL.
"Nobody made them start this league or continue this league," Green said to me at the time. "However, people should be paid for work completed (it is illegal to not pay) and companies should be paid according to the agreed contract."
Green had filed his own lawsuit seventeen months prior to the seventy-eight players filing their action. He felt as though he was standing tall on second base. Green stated that he would continue to fight until he gets justice, which is exactly what one would expect to hear from the coach.
Excitement was building in the early months of 2013 as Green prepared for his arbitration hearing scheduled for May of that year. He won the hearing and was awarded roughly $1 million from the arbitrator. But Green's fight was not over. He cared too much for others to simply call it a day and move on.
"There are over 36 other people or companies who have filed clear cut cases of breach of contract against these men, including some very brave former UFL football players, who stand to benefit from forcing [Paul] Pelosi and [Bill] Hambrecht to pay us as soon as the judge can legally force them to," said Green in an email in March 2014.
Paul Pelosi, hustband of former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, owned a UFL team, which Green claimed to be the only team to actually pay players and coaches. However, Green found that Pelosi owned more than just that one team and had a vested interest in the league.
Meanwhile, Green had troubles forcing the UFL to pay off his arbitration award.
"I do not understand why the judge does not force payment. What are they appealing? They chose the forced arbitration procedure," said Green in disgust. "We filed the breach of contract lawsuit on Oct 6, 2011. After 19 months of documents, interrogatories and oral depositions we were standing on 3rd base. So, in May of 2013 we finally were able to have an arbitration hearing with their hand picked arbitrator. On Sept 6, 2013, the arbitrator ruled in our favor that Pelosi owed me money on my 2011 contract that I had already worked and performed all my obligations for. Six months later as of today, we are now back in court and we have not received a cent."
"Does the judge, the public, the sports media or political media understand what it means to all the people suing them. We are in a endless up hill battle for fairness," added Green.
As of August 2014, Green had still not been paid on the arbitration award, but in his cheery manner was looking forward to getting ready for the NFL regular season. Green was presented with the opportunity to do some television work with Comcast for the San Francisco 49ers post-game studio show.
But the UFL issue still bothered Green.
"Pelosi continues to use every delay tactic and stall maneuver that the San Francisco Superior Court Judge will legally allow," said Green. "I will not give up and neither will my attorney. I am the only one out of over 30 lawsuits that has been able to force depositions, hearings and winning arbitration rulings. It is still my wish that every single person they owe money will get paid. My battle with Pelosi and Hambrecht will not be over until that happens."
There was no questioning the resolve of Green. By February 2015, he had spent sixteen months trying to collect on his award. Again, he told me that he will not give up.
"I will keep fighting until I get paid and open the door and keep it open for the 200 + other people they owe money, get paid," said Green.
Green's last correspondence with me came in January 2016, containing the aforementioned Abraham Lincoln quote. He forwarded an article highlighting his continuing fight for approximately $1 million in back pay.
"This is the first time in 4 years that they are frustrated enough to state their position," exclaimed Green. "Pelosi & Hambrecht and their numerous numerous lawyers and giant Law Firms have always had 'no comment.' It seems they are getting tired of fighting."
Hopefully Green's estate will benefit from all of Green's efforts over the years. He was born a fighter, displayed it on the football field and never stopped fighting for what he believed in until the day he passed. Green's battle was not only one for himself, but on behalf of many others whom he believed had been wronged. He took it upon himself to lead the charge to find them relief.
Maybe Pelosi and Hambrecht were worn down from fighting, but Green kept true to his word for every day he was alive. Green never gave up and he stayed true to himself. There is a lot to learn from the fantastic football coach.
Darren Heitner is a lawyer and the Founder of South Florida-based HEITNER LEGAL, P.L.L.C., which has a focus on Sports Law and Entertainment Law.Follow @DarrenHeitner
