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Why No One Wants Gene Upshaw’s Old Seat

Oct 7, 2008

Without a real plan for improvements and corrections in place BEFORE selecting a new Executive Director, any new candidate will be facing a barrage of questions and problems left behind by departed NFLPA Director, Gene Upshaw. Why would any qualified candidate in their right mind want to sit in this hot seat?

And all kidding aside, why would a selection committee want to simply hire someone under contract without the express approval of all the players – current AND retired? We believe the majority of the membership would agree that open elections for leadership should be a given and term limits are common sense. Annointing – er, I mean, appointing – a new Executive Director would be putting the cart before the horse.

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One Response so far | Have Your Say!

  1. Harry Jacobs
    October 7th, 2008 at 11:43 AM #

    Harry Jacobs

    I’m President of the Buffalo Bills Alumni. I wanted to offer up my thoughts on the situation. I believe it is vital to get a qualified leader who is hired by vote of the current and retired players. I also believe that it needs to be done soon after the team is chosen to select the correct leader. We need a qualified new face to the squabble to bring wisdom and insight to a win-win-win process that will bring us together. I don’t believe this can happen without some new leadership who has the wisdom, the drive, the moxie and the desire for win-win-win.

    Let’s not slow the process down; let’s ensure that the right steps are being taken to empower the BEST person to lead all of us into the future.

    We need a courageous leader, who knows their way around and is willing to stand tall and make a difference in the negotiation process that is needed to pull the current and the retired players together. And to participate fully in the CBA negotiations.

    It will also help if the chosen candidate has national stature in their positive character, their achievements and their proven record of accomplishment in their leadership capabilities: especially in the negotiations with disgruntled participants.

    Your teammate,
    Harry Jacobs
    Buffalo Bills
    Alumni President