Judge asked to decide who gets pensions

DETROIT (AP) — Two NFL pension plans are asking a federal judge to decide what to do with money that belonged to Detroit Lions Hall of Fame tight end Charlie Sanders.

Sanders died of cancer on July 2. Georgianna Sanders says she and Charlie Sanders were married in suburban Detroit just six days earlier. It was their second marriage together.

A lawsuit filed last Thursday says Georgianna Sanders could be entitled to more than $800,000 from two benefit plans. But Abraham Singer, a lawyer representing a trust created by Charlie Sanders, is questioning whether the marriage was valid. That’s why the pension plans want Judge George Caram Steeh to sort it out.

Georgianna Sanders couldn’t be reached for comment last Friday. Her voicemail was full.

Charlie Sanders played for the Lions from 1968-77.