THIS JUST IN: Commissioner Roger Goodell’s Road Trip
We’ve just received word that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is planning to announce a 32-city road trip to meet up with retired players to listen to their voices and opinions in their own backyards. If this is truly the case, we extend our sincerest praise to the Commissioner for his leadership and wisdom in making such a bold move.
In preparation for his tour, we’d like to suggest that everyone write in with their ideas and comments on improving the NFL and the NFLPA to make this the true American sport for the 21st Century. As so many of the retired and disabled players have been unable to afford the expense or endure the logistics of travel, this is a major shift from the way things were done in the past. So hopefully, everyone will not only seize upon the opportunity for their voices to be heard but also maintain a level of decency and fairness to each other so that ALL voices will truly be heard for once.
Our good friend, disability attorney John Hogan, has graciously offered to help prepare some talking points for the retired players to assist in pointing out and clarifying many of the issues that need to be discussed. John has already personally encountered many of these issues while working with many of the players he’s represented in recent years. John’s many years of experience with disability law, the NFLPA’s disability programs and Social Security issues will certainly help to keep many of the issues on the right track from legal standpoint.
To prepare for this, we’ve just added a new e-mail address to this blog for retired players to send in their questions, comments and suggestions. We hope that everyone will either send in their two-bits worth either through e-mail or by comments on this blog. If you wish to remain anonymous, simply say so in your comment or e-mail and we’ll leave your name off any published comments. And if the question is something that John can answer, he’ll either reply in an e-mail or we’ll post it on the blog. And John will have a series of comments he can take with him at some of the meetings.
Send your questions to: AskTheCommish@davepear.com
(Please copy and paste this e-mail address into your own e-mail program – we’re trying to avoid getting a lot of spam by not putting a ‘hot’ link directly to this e-mail address – Thanks!)
One final comment: Keep in mind that this is unprecedented and probably would not have happened even as recently as a month ago. Stay tuned for confirmation of Commissioner Goodell’s tour and schedule.
John Hannah
September 12th, 2008 at 5:35 am #
John Hogan has tirelessly donated his time to verbalizing our issues. Might I suggest that all suggestions be given to John so that he might create a white paper. In that way, all 32 visits will be speaking with the same voice.
John Hannah
Our Comment to John Hannah and everyone else wanting to send their thoughts to Commissioner Goodell: Great minds think alike, John! All comments and suggestions to this e-mail address go directly to John Hogan for review and collection for presention to the Commissioner during his tour.
Ange Coniglio
September 12th, 2008 at 6:34 am #
I’d like to suggest that there are many retirees from one team who are now living in or near a different city that hosts a Pro Football team. Theses players, to cut travel costs, should contact their closest Pro Football team, ask for Goodell’s schedule, and ask for permission to attend his appearance.
Ange Coniglio
http://www.remembertheafl.com
Chris Burford
September 12th, 2008 at 7:47 am #
Thanks Dave, I look forward to John’s talking points. Chris Burford