Thank you for your insightful comments! We certainly appreciated your attendance at the Summit in Las Vegas May 29-31, 2009.

Sooner or later, Congress, a Court of Law or the Court of public opinion will FORCE the League Leadership to play by the rules.

Sincerely,

Dave & Heidi Pear

As a psychologist and organizational development trainer, I can attest to the fact that at an organizational level, there is more to the divide-and-conquer mentality that is below the surface of the motivation to divide-and-conquer. For the players, it is like the woman who abuses her spouse; all sugary and sweet until she nabs her man. She backs the man into the corner like a caged lion as she spends a great deal of time in the man’s life creating chaos and keeping the man off balance. He goes around in circles wondering what he could have done better or why HE is at fault. When in reality, it is the woman who has the issues. (a story for another day). The behaviors of individuals mirror the behaviors in an organization.

As in the abuse cycles, it becomes an issue of control within the organization. By controlling the outcome, the organization gets to control the game by pulling the strings. The players run around in circles attempting to figure out how to make the outcome better. 25 years of the control should be enough for anyone. It is like a bad marriage that needs a period put to it.

You are so right about bringing people together to resolve the issues once and for all. Players, active and retired, need to come together to unite and become one solid voice that is not mired in the “game playing” of the past. It is about “brand identity” and how the organization brands itself. One hides behind the other and points fingers without taking responsibility for their own actions. Hiding behind a CBA is still hiding. The organization has a responsibility to take care of the veterans and active players. OSHA rules still stand; even in football.

Maybe it is time to have an independent organization that has a voice at the table.

Helen Horvath
Summit Attendee
http://hwassociates.blogspot.com/

Since 1995, 22 young men have lost their lives playing high school football. “For what?” ask the families of the players who died. Why are we so caught up with football? It only makes the rich happy. I wouldn’t give up my sons up to play football.

Divide-and-conquer is the owners’ bible. Stay together – don’t let selfishness control us. Some get paid, some don’t. So many players are dead already.

Stand up for them! Stand together, brothers and sisters!

Abner Haynes Sr.
Heroes of Football
1960 – 1967
Texans, Chiefs, Broncos