G's Extra Point: Health and Safety Is Paramount

The core mission of the NFL Players Association is to protect the players of the NFL. I never played football growing up, but from the day I picked up a basketball at the age of 7, I looked to emulate professionals within that sport. I tried to wag my tongue like Michael Jordan, work on my follow-through like Glen Rice and conjure up the intensity and attitude of Charles Barkley. The competitiveness, work ethic and sportsmanship—good and bad—affected my behavior as an amateur athlete both on and off the court.

 

This is mirrored in football, but there is the added dimension and seriousness of health and safety. There is also added scrutiny because pro football is the most watched and profitable sport today—by a wide margin. Millions of youth pay attention to the behavior of our players and look to them as examples of how to be professionals and how to get to the professional level. Our association and our league should be proud of the fact that the overwhelming majority of players get this right.

 

Yesterday’s Congressional hearings before the House Judiciary Committee provided some real insight into this other unique impact of NFL football. Two witnesses in particular, former players Tiki Barber and Merril Hoge, spoke candidly on the subject. Both touched on the need for better health and safety standards on a national level. Merril, in particular, shared his first-hand experience as a youth football coach. He said that not enough youth programs equip coaches and players with the correct information, personnel and protocol.

 

They both asked for better education programs across the nation, including a call for basic medical protocols to diagnose and treat head injuries as soon as they happen on the field. Tiki added that without strong leadership and examples at the pro level, young football players would never embrace certain fundamentals that could help them play better, avoid injuries at successive levels and receive a basic standard of medical care.

 

I have had an opportunity to interact with these two and numerous other former NFL players. We have discussed this issue and also discussed what more can be done for those former players who have the greatest needs. Many former players have expressed frustrations with how both sides have addressed this issue, and even DeMaurice Smith has acknowledged, repeating in his testimony yesterday, that the NFLPA of the past has not done its best in this area. We will do better and in a number of ways we already have.

 

To Tiki, Merril and all former and active NFL players, the moment for leadership has arrived and we embrace it. Progress requires a number of various initiatives collaborating together. Progress means a continuous examination of rules on the field. It means better medical standards. It means examining and carefully reviewing research studies. It means promoting fundamentals of the game through our youth partnership with USA Football. It means aggressively amending the rules and benefits that are governed through the Collective Bargaining Agreement and taking action today to find solutions aside from the CBA. If we take these steps, and many more, we can make a real difference.

 

 

This week, I dedicate this space to a truly special moment on the Hill. Sylvia Mackey, the wife of Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, has been a true pioneer and advocate of former player benefits. She was in attendance at yesterday’s hearing and carefully listened to members of Congress and witnesses share their insights on player benefits.

 

The hearing was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and finish at noon. At 12:26 p.m., Chairman Conyers called for a recess. I’m glad he did because I was very hungry. As I left the room to go to lunch, I walked towards Mrs. Mackey. She was visibly emotional. She and Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) shared a few words and embraced.

 

Sylvia Mackey has been attempting to track down John’s gold Hall of Fame jacket for 11 years, with no luck. Without a clue of where it had gone, she believed it to be lost. Well, as fate would have it, 11 years ago, John Mackey gave his Hall of Fame jacket to Congressman Lungren. They were reunited yesterday in a moment that I cannot begin to describe here.

 

If the Congressional hearings did nothing else but introduce Congressman Lungren to Sylvia Mackey, then it was well worth it.

 

 

I dreaded this week’s matchup because of my insane travel schedule. For the past two weeks, my time spent on a plane probably equaled my time spent sleeping in a bed. For that reason, I totally forgot to update my roster and left two players on the bench that have carried me this season. Somehow, I wound up winning an ugly 71-66 matchup. I’m obviously not complaining, but it makes up for an earlier week when I had a boatload of points and lost. So, I’m sitting at 5-2 and will hopefully take the 10 minutes on Friday afternoon to actually set my lineup.

 

C-SPAN’s video of yesterday’s testimony:

 

DeMaurice Smith shares his thoughts on the issue with CNN: