Jeff Nixon Salutes Harry Carson’s Remarks
Harry Carson was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame (HOF). During the ceremony, Harry took some time from his personal day of honor to point out the seldom-acknowledged contributions of the old players from the early days of the game. Jeff Nixon sent out a warm letter of recognition and we couldn’t agree more with him. BTW – Dave played in the Pro Bowl Game of ’79 with Harry.
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:54:16 -0700
Subject: [Retired NFL Players] HARRY CARSON’S LEGACY – WE NEED MORE LEADERS LIKE HIM!
From: Jeff Nixon
To: Retired-NFL-Players
Dear Harry:
I just read the email you sent to retired players regarding your 2006 HOF induction speech and other issues and I want you to know how proud the retired players are that you used the HOF platform to draw attention to the plight of former players. You mentioned that you read something me and Sam Huff had written prior to the 2006 Hall of Fame induction ceremony that it helped inspire you to use a part of your induction speech to bring attention to the situation.
As I said then, and I’ll say again:
………”For the Hall of Famer that has the courage to make statements like these in front of the whole world, they will forever be remembered by their peers, their fans and their family as a hero who thought more about others than they thought about themselves.”
Harry, you will always be remembered for the courage it took to be the first to speak out on these issues at the HOF Induction Ceremony! It was not the politically correct thing to do, but it was the right thing to do……. and it has inspired many more to join in the efforts to help the retired players that worked so hard to make the NFL and the NFLPA what they are today. Hopefully, some future inductees will follow in your footsteps and use the power of that special moment to honor the sacrifices of a largely forgotten generation of football players.
The momentum that has been generated by our ability to communicate over the Internet has helped immensely, but it will never replace the power that comes from speaking to a live audience in front of the whole world. Your speech was an inspiration to all retired players and has motivated many former players that might not have spoken up in the past. The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers and that will be part of your legacy. President John Quincy Adams said “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
You took a day that was set aside to honor you…….. and also used it to honor those that came before you. Your actions have pushed us all to work harder. Thank you for your continuing efforts through the Alliance, to help those that came before you.
“If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulder of Giants” (and colts, bears, eagles, panthers, ravens, broncos, dolphins, rams, etc.) – Issac Newton
Jeff Nixon
Buffalo Bills Alumni
