LOWELL, Mass. (AP) – Former Patriots offensive lineman John Hannah says he has warned former teammate Andre Tippett to brace himself for a sad sight when he’s inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next summer.

“I know when I got inducted, what depressed me the most was the shape of those old players,” said Hannah, who was enshrined in 1991.

Hannah and linebacker Tippett were among six NFL retirees who discussed the problems of former players Tuesday night at a University of Massachusetts-Lowell symposium.

The former players criticized longtime NFL Players Association head Gene Upshaw for what they say is a failure to improve benefits for hundreds of disabled former players at a time when the union’s pension fund has swelled to $1.1 billion.

The NFL and the players union last week said they have modified their disability program and doubled the benefits for one part of it to try to address the problems.

“Men who laid it on the line feel like they’re not men anymore,” said former Patriot Ted Johnson, 35, who has suffered severe depression and battled drug dependencies since concussions forced his retirement following the 2004 seasons.

Tippett was told he should have an MRI on his neck when he retired after the 1993 season.

“I’m afraid to,” said Tippett, 48. “I don’t want to know what’s there.”

Hannah, 56, recalled “stupid stuff” from his career – suiting up one season with a misdiagnosed torn knee ligament and wearing a neck brace concocted by a team doctor.

He’s had four shoulder surgeries and expects he’ll need a knee replacement.

Former Baltimore Colts safety Mel Laird started the “Fourth and Goal” fund in 2004 after his former teammate and Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and in need of financial help.

Laird, 57, a Lowell native who moved away as an infant, said he wishes he had not kept playing after certain injuries.

“When I got hurt, I (should) have stayed hurt,” he said.

The six players on the panel, who also included Peter Cronan and Garin Veris, played a combined 62 NFL seasons. None said he regretted playing pro football.

“We chose to get into this game, absolutely,” said Hannah. “(The NFL) chose to make money off us, too. If a man needs a new knee, he should be able to get it.”