To every retired NFL player, please take note of this name and address:
Jed Hughes
Spencer Stuart
272 Park Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, NY 10172
P: 212-336-0200
F: 212-336-0300
jhughes@spencerstuart.com
Now…! If any Retiree thinks you are qualified or if you know someone qualified to be the leader of the many thousands of National Football League retirees, please send resumes to the source listed above! Now is the time for every Former NFL Player to get off your ass and get involved!
For years the voices of Retired NFL Players was muted. The issues plaguing those who made the League what it is today went unanswered and quite frankly probably uncared about by those who could have made a difference. Over the past several years Players and their families have banned together (largely via the internet) to make their issues known and their presence felt by the National Football League, the NFL Player’s Association and the general public. For most former players the main issues are an improvement of a pension system that seriously needs to be upgraded and better disability benefits for all who carry the scars, aches and pains of playing one of the world’s most violent sports. But in reality the issues of Retirees go well beyond the two that are the most obvious.
While many players were very vocal and visible to the public over the past couple of years, I along with other former players worked diligently behind the scene to open the lines of communication to help bring about some type of change on an “Institutional” scale. That change was never about one person or a singular issue. Many of us have a true sense that those who were suppose to look out for us and our interests failed to appropriately represent us. Those who worked behind the scenes endured the wrath of some Retirees for even trying to institute better communication between Retired Players and the League. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I make absolutely no apology to anyone for trying to improve the plight of retired players and their families. It’s unfortunate that several of the old timers like Hall of Famer Bill Willis asked us to stay on course and do all we can for Retired Players but those heroes are no longer alive to witness some of those changes.
At the request of many players Roger Goodell visited with groups of former players around the country to hear what the most important issues were. He also communicated with individual players who have been very vocal in their own right of the issues involving Retirees. In fairness to him he did not focus on what he was being told by even those in his own circle, he wanted to hear from the players himself. The #1 issue for him from his visits was a lack of representation. To address that and all the issues of retired players, Commissioner Goodell has proposed that all Retired NFL Players be housed under the roof of the NFL Alumni. With that move the NFL Shield is already in place to help develop relationships and programs that will benefit Players. With everyone in the same organization the needs of all players could adequately be addressed. The NFL Alumni will continue its charity role of “Caring for kids” but it will also take on the advocacy role of fulfilling the needs of the Retired Players. The Board of the Alumni has already been restructured and the leadership of that organization will be restructured with the hiring of an Executive Director by the search firm listed at the beginning of this letter. With a restructured NFL Alumni we have a home where our voices will be heard, our needs will be a priority not an after thought, we will have a seat at the table during negotiations and more importantly we will have someone who will be accountable to us.
I write this to all Retirees wanting you all to know that I have no issue with any other organization, they all have served a noble purpose. But one thing I do know, the old ways of doing business for Retired NFL Players is old, tired and obsolete. We have to find ways to work together with the League for the betterment of everyone! As an individual, when you play for the NFL you will always be linked to the NFL and whether you want to be or not you will always be an Ambassador for the League. As a group, we are a very valuable resource that has not been utilized, as Retirees there are tremendous opportunities waiting to be tapped. Many people know that I’ve been heavily involved with this project. As a result, I have gotten many emails and inquiries looking to utilize players in some capacity. But as I read letters and emails discouraging Retirees from embracing a new NFL Alumni I ask all of you to take a good hard look at the past and honestly ask yourself….. Don’t you and those you played with and against deserved better!
From where I’ve sat and watched over the past few years, the Retired Players have never ever had the POWER to do anything! Part of my personal frustration is I continuous meet people and companies who want to assist former players with all kinds of goods and services because they are fans that respect and admire the players they’ve cheered for over the years. To whom and where do I take these offers? I’ve never pretended that someone put me in charge and acted on behalf of all Retirees so unfortunately some opportunities were lost. Right now we all need one another because together we can develop best Retiree group of any sport in the world.
I also write this because I hope all former players who think you are qualified to throw your hats in the ring to lead this organization. It is vitally important to be as inclusive as possible. It does not matter whether you’ve been a supporter or the staunchest critic of the National Football League, the NFLPA or even opponents of the players who have worked to get this far in the process. The search firm will go through all of the resumes, applications and interviews. A search committee made up of former players will ultimately make the final decision as to who that new Executive Director/CEO will be to run the new NFL Alumni organization and the NFL will recognize that person as the Leader and the voice of the Retired Players. This process will be as transparent as it can be. No one except the search firm will be able to weed anyone out of this search.
Those who I’ve been around during this process fully understand where I stand when it comes to selecting a leader to move us forward. I want that person to be passionate about heading the NFL Alumni. He has to eat, drink and breathe the position understanding who they work for! The other quality I insist they have is compassion for every player and player family member he is working for. As I mentioned earlier I harbor no ill will toward any Retiree or any organization but when it comes to us we need to be a priority, not an after thought!!!!
Much more work has to be done in this regard. But I personally want to thank All Retirees who gave their time, energy and often spent money out of their own pockets to make sure they worked on behalf of their NFL brethren. We now have the ability to chart our own course. If we cannot come together on this especially at a time when so much can be done for ourselves, I venture to say that we will never be able to come together on anything as we all move forward.
Harry Carson