Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, has a lot to learn from one of the sporting world's wisest men, New York Yankee great Yogi Berra. Brady has been suspended for four games, his team has been fined $1 million, and they have lost two future draft picks because they played with footballs that were underinflated.
The penalties were assessed as the result of a lengthy investigation by the NFL following the Patriot's victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game this past January. After the game it was determined that the footballs used by the Patriots were not inflated to the minimum standard required by the league.
A few days later Brady addressed the allegations at a press conference. "I didn't alter the ball in any way," he said. "I feel like I have always played within the rules," and he continued, "I would never break the rules." Later, in an interview with sports radio WEEI, Brady said, "I was very shocked to hear it, so I almost laughed it off thinking that was more sour grapes than anything," he said. "And it ends up being a very serious thing when you start learning the things that were ... just the integrity of the game."
Subsequently, the NFL hired attorney Ted Wells to investigate the incident. His report, which was released last week, slammed Brady. "It is more probable than not" that Brady was "at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities" of locker room attendant Jim McNally and equipment assistant John Jastremski, the report said. Jastremski, who has been with the Patriots for 14 years, was in charge of preparing the balls. Underinflated balls can make it possible for the quarterback to get a better grip. Brady threw for three touchdowns in the Patriots 45-7 rout over the Colts, and they went on to win the Super Bowl over the Seattle Seahawks.
The Wells report said that Brady answered questions from investigators over the course of one day, however, he did not turn over personal information such as texts and emails, and that he was not totally forthcoming about the incident. NFL Executive President Troy Vincent, in a letter to Brady, said the quarterback's actions were detrimental to the integrity of the sport. "Each player, no matter how accomplished and otherwise respected, has an obligation to comply with the rules and must be held accountable for his actions when those rules are violated and the public's confidence in the game is called into question," Vincent wrote.
Brady has won four Super Bowls, and he is considered by many to be the NFL's best quarterback. The man with the nickname "Tom Terrific" has won scads of awards in his NFL career. He is certain to be a Hall of Famer, although Deflategate, as it is now known, is likely to be a black mark on his career.
This week Yogi Berra celebrates his 90th birthday. He was a baseball All-Star for 15 seasons, and is considered one of the best catchers in baseball history. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. He is a sports icon who is beloved for his humility and integrity.
Brady can learn a lot from Berra, who once said of his sport, "90% of the game is half-mental." While Brady and his attorney, who says they will appeal the NFL's decision, may feel "It ain't over till it's over," another Berra quote, they should take Berra's counsel, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." Then Brady can say, "Thank you for making this day necessary."
After all, Tom Brady,"You can observe a lot by watching."
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Saturday, September 20, 2014
NFL Fumbles
The NFL is one of the most powerful cultural institutions in America. It dominates television ratings, it drives marketing decisions, fantasy football, and it provides endless content year-round for bloggers, columnists and commentators. The average NFL team is worth $1.43 billion, and its top players earn more than $20 million a year. Many communities invest in state of the art stadiums to host their home team. And many NFL players are active role models in their respective communities.
The NFL is a huge business, but with its success comes great responsibility. Yet the owners and commissioner of the NFL have been more committed to protecting their business than in getting out ahead on several key social issues that have faced the league. Where is the leadership?
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted as much when speaking specifically about the league's handling of the Ray Rice domestic abuse case. "Unfortunately over the past several weeks, we've seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong. That starts with me," he said. "I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter. And I'm sorry for that. I got it wrong on a number of levels: from the process that I led to the decision that I reached. But now I will get it right and do whatever is necessary to accomplish that."
Roger Goodell began his career in the NFL in 1982, and he has been commissioner since 2006, a role for which he was paid a staggering $44 million last year. He has said his job is to "protect the shield," a reference to the NFL logo. But where would the NFL be without its players? That is where the league's focus should have been from the moment it became aware of the impact of head injuries, the illegal use of drugs, and the many incidents of domestic violence. Instead, the NFL has had a reactionary policy to each of these growing crises designed primarily to ameliorate a public relations problem.
Today there are about 1,700 players on the 32 NFL teams, most in their mid-twenties. These are young men, many of whom came from broken homes and impoverished circumstances. Many of the youngest players are not mature and are prone to make mistakes in judgment. Their sudden wealth, the average NFL salary is about $2 million, and fame can often be a difficult adjustment for a young player just out of college. Yes, they are well-paid employees in a successful business, but many need mentoring. The NFL can play a more active role in the human development of its players, which may help prevent mistakes in judgment.
At his news conference Friday, Goodell was asked if he considered resigning. "I have not. I am focused on doing my job, and doing it to the best of my abilities." It is hard to believe that resignation had not crossed his mind, just as it is hard to believe the NFL will truly be transparent and open in its "independent" investigation of the Rice incident. In the end the truth will come out, and Roger Goodell will have to step down.
But that will not exonerate all of the NFL owners. The owners need to create management structures throughout the league that are more diverse, starting with the NFL headquarters on Park Avenue. More women and minorities need to be given important management roles so that the front offices are more in touch with the players.
The NFL and its owners need to take the offensive when it comes to the best interest of its players. It is time to stop fumbling the ball.
The NFL is a huge business, but with its success comes great responsibility. Yet the owners and commissioner of the NFL have been more committed to protecting their business than in getting out ahead on several key social issues that have faced the league. Where is the leadership?
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted as much when speaking specifically about the league's handling of the Ray Rice domestic abuse case. "Unfortunately over the past several weeks, we've seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong. That starts with me," he said. "I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter. And I'm sorry for that. I got it wrong on a number of levels: from the process that I led to the decision that I reached. But now I will get it right and do whatever is necessary to accomplish that."
Roger Goodell began his career in the NFL in 1982, and he has been commissioner since 2006, a role for which he was paid a staggering $44 million last year. He has said his job is to "protect the shield," a reference to the NFL logo. But where would the NFL be without its players? That is where the league's focus should have been from the moment it became aware of the impact of head injuries, the illegal use of drugs, and the many incidents of domestic violence. Instead, the NFL has had a reactionary policy to each of these growing crises designed primarily to ameliorate a public relations problem.
Today there are about 1,700 players on the 32 NFL teams, most in their mid-twenties. These are young men, many of whom came from broken homes and impoverished circumstances. Many of the youngest players are not mature and are prone to make mistakes in judgment. Their sudden wealth, the average NFL salary is about $2 million, and fame can often be a difficult adjustment for a young player just out of college. Yes, they are well-paid employees in a successful business, but many need mentoring. The NFL can play a more active role in the human development of its players, which may help prevent mistakes in judgment.
At his news conference Friday, Goodell was asked if he considered resigning. "I have not. I am focused on doing my job, and doing it to the best of my abilities." It is hard to believe that resignation had not crossed his mind, just as it is hard to believe the NFL will truly be transparent and open in its "independent" investigation of the Rice incident. In the end the truth will come out, and Roger Goodell will have to step down.
But that will not exonerate all of the NFL owners. The owners need to create management structures throughout the league that are more diverse, starting with the NFL headquarters on Park Avenue. More women and minorities need to be given important management roles so that the front offices are more in touch with the players.
The NFL and its owners need to take the offensive when it comes to the best interest of its players. It is time to stop fumbling the ball.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Every 15 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a significant brain injury; about 2 million American adults and children sustain a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, each year. The injuries are inflicted on battlefields as well as football fields. The victims come from all walks of life.
Former New York Giants Hall of Famer Harry Carson appeared in 173 games as a professional, along with nine playoff games and more than 50 preseason games. He played inside linebacker and led the team in tackles five times. In his remarkable football career, including high school and college, Carson experienced thousands of collisions. He estimates he suffered more than a dozen concussions, and he now admits he suffers from forgetfulness and "bouts with depression."
As a freshman soccer player in Alexandria, Virginia, Sarah Rainy suffered a collision in a varsity match in April 2010. She left the game long enough for a sip of water before returning. It was not until after the game that she realized something was wrong. Five-weeks later she courageously told a Congressional committee about her concussion. “I sometimes now have to use a calculator to do simple arithmetic — it takes me three times as long to do anything,” said Rainey, who was 14 at the time. “Even when my head is not pounding, I always feel like I am wearing a compression headband.”
Afghanistan War veteran Nick Colgin, 27-years-old, recently told NY1 News an incoming shell hit of the side of his Humvee. He went on, "It kind of dazed me, knocked me out, broke my nose. But the worst part was I didn’t know how it affected me, affected my brain." He told NY1 he can no longer read or write.
According to the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC), more than 218,000 cases of TBI have been diagnosed among Afghan and Iraq war veterans over the past decade. Nearly 4 million American athletes get mild brain injuries, or concussions. For children a concussion can alter lives by increasing behavioral issues and memory loss. Two-thirds of people with brain injuries report having poor emotional health and depression, which greatly increases the chance of suicide.
At an annual fundraising gala Tuesday night in New York City, the MHA-NYC will launch the Traumatic Brain Injury and Emotional Wellness Alliance, an advocacy group that will raise awareness of the mental health impact of TBI. Three "collaborative councils", made up of leaders from sports, science and veteran's affairs that, "Will advise the Alliance, and drive recognition, science-based information, sound policy and advocacy at the convergence of mental health and TBI issues from the schoolyard and stadium, to the battlefield," the MHA-NYC website reports. I am a MHA-NYC board member.
ABC News Correspondent Bob Woodruff, himself a victim of a severe brain injury while covering the second war in Iraq, along with his wife Lee, a CBS News Correspondent, will host the MHA-NYC event. They will be joined by honorees Harry Carson, Sarah Rainy and Sylvia Mackey, widow of NFL and Colt great John Mackey, who co-founded the NFL's "88 Plan", which provides for the care of retired pro players who suffer from TBI. Of course, the Woodruff's have worked tirelessly on behalf of returning veterans through the Bob Woodruff Foundation for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors.
It is clear there is much to learn about the problems TBI causes, and increasing awareness among all Americans is an important step. "The Alliance will have a lasting legacy on many thousands of recreational and professional athletes, veterans, and their families by advocating on their behalf to raise awareness of the behavioral health impact of concussions and more sever traumatic brain injuries," said Giselle Stolper, President and CEO of the MHA-NYC.
Former New York Giants Hall of Famer Harry Carson appeared in 173 games as a professional, along with nine playoff games and more than 50 preseason games. He played inside linebacker and led the team in tackles five times. In his remarkable football career, including high school and college, Carson experienced thousands of collisions. He estimates he suffered more than a dozen concussions, and he now admits he suffers from forgetfulness and "bouts with depression."
As a freshman soccer player in Alexandria, Virginia, Sarah Rainy suffered a collision in a varsity match in April 2010. She left the game long enough for a sip of water before returning. It was not until after the game that she realized something was wrong. Five-weeks later she courageously told a Congressional committee about her concussion. “I sometimes now have to use a calculator to do simple arithmetic — it takes me three times as long to do anything,” said Rainey, who was 14 at the time. “Even when my head is not pounding, I always feel like I am wearing a compression headband.”
Afghanistan War veteran Nick Colgin, 27-years-old, recently told NY1 News an incoming shell hit of the side of his Humvee. He went on, "It kind of dazed me, knocked me out, broke my nose. But the worst part was I didn’t know how it affected me, affected my brain." He told NY1 he can no longer read or write.
According to the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC), more than 218,000 cases of TBI have been diagnosed among Afghan and Iraq war veterans over the past decade. Nearly 4 million American athletes get mild brain injuries, or concussions. For children a concussion can alter lives by increasing behavioral issues and memory loss. Two-thirds of people with brain injuries report having poor emotional health and depression, which greatly increases the chance of suicide.
At an annual fundraising gala Tuesday night in New York City, the MHA-NYC will launch the Traumatic Brain Injury and Emotional Wellness Alliance, an advocacy group that will raise awareness of the mental health impact of TBI. Three "collaborative councils", made up of leaders from sports, science and veteran's affairs that, "Will advise the Alliance, and drive recognition, science-based information, sound policy and advocacy at the convergence of mental health and TBI issues from the schoolyard and stadium, to the battlefield," the MHA-NYC website reports. I am a MHA-NYC board member.
ABC News Correspondent Bob Woodruff, himself a victim of a severe brain injury while covering the second war in Iraq, along with his wife Lee, a CBS News Correspondent, will host the MHA-NYC event. They will be joined by honorees Harry Carson, Sarah Rainy and Sylvia Mackey, widow of NFL and Colt great John Mackey, who co-founded the NFL's "88 Plan", which provides for the care of retired pro players who suffer from TBI. Of course, the Woodruff's have worked tirelessly on behalf of returning veterans through the Bob Woodruff Foundation for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors.
It is clear there is much to learn about the problems TBI causes, and increasing awareness among all Americans is an important step. "The Alliance will have a lasting legacy on many thousands of recreational and professional athletes, veterans, and their families by advocating on their behalf to raise awareness of the behavioral health impact of concussions and more sever traumatic brain injuries," said Giselle Stolper, President and CEO of the MHA-NYC.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)