The Truth Behind the 4th and Goal / NFL Alumni Merger Controversy

Hello readers,


Below is a letter from the NFL Alumni announcing the merger of the 4th and Goal organization and the NFL Alumni. Sorry for the format but I wanted to show the authenticity of the letter. The NFL Shield should be in the upper left hand corner. It would not copy to the blog. It has been disputed that the two groups are combined but this says otherwise. It was Bruce Laird who proposed the merger to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell himself. The 4th and Goal organization has been an attack group against the NFLPA current administration under DeMaurice Smith, and the past NFLPA administration under Gene Upshaw. The combined group has not joined the NFLPA and other organizations like the Hall of Fame, Gridiron Greats, and the Independent Retired Football Players in calling for the NFL to provide full financial transparency and good faith negotiations, in the current CBA negotiations. Additionally the members of the 4th and Goal board of directors, Bruce Laird, Harry Carson, Jack Thompson, Darryl Johnston, and Jerry Kramer are also serving on the NFL Alumni board of directors.


I hope this clears things up.


Best regards,


Nolan Harrison III
NFLPA Former Player Board of Directors






NFL Alumni, Inc.
____________________________________________________________________
National Headquarters
3696 N. Federal Hwy, #202
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: 954-630-2100
Fax: 954-630-2535

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            Contact: Amy Glanzman
                                                                                                                             (954) 630-2100, x210

NFL ALUMNI TO RE-EMBRACE HISTORIC MISSION OF

SPEAKING UP FOR RETIRED PLAYERS

ORLANDO, Fla. — NFL Alumni, an organization started 40 years ago to seek pension benefits for the pioneer players of the NFL, will expand its membership and the scope of its activities to emphasize support for retired players in medical and financial need, it was announced today.

As part of the restructuring, NFL Alumni now will focus on key issues affecting retired players such as medical, financial, and post-career counseling, while also continuing to support youth charities. The alumni group in 1967 became a non-profit organization primarily focused in its local chapters on youth activities through its “Caring for Kids” program.

The decision to expand the Alumni’s mission was approved today by the NFL Alumni Board of Directors at its Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida.

As an initial step, NFL Alumni has formed an alliance with other retired players and Fourth and Goal, a retired NFL player advocacy organization based in Baltimore and headed by former Baltimore Colts Pro Bowl player Bruce Laird.

While evolving as an organization and returning to its heritage by supporting retired players, NFL Alumni also will continue to support youth programs through its local chapters.

“We recognize that many retired players have been looking for an independent football organization such as ours to represent their interests,” said Lee Nystrom, NFL Alumni’s chairman. “We have resources and are ready to do so as a national organization and do even more to address these important needs. We look forward to working together with Fourth & Goal and other retired players groups to support
the individuals and their families who have contributed to the NFL’s success.”

“We are excited to join NFL Alumni to support retired players more effectively in a common effort,” said Laird. “We welcome the input, resources and cooperation of all retired players with the singular goal of helping our former teammates and opponents.”

ABOUT NFL ALUMNI
NFL Alumni is a 501 (c) (3) charity composed of former NFL players and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes. The NFL Alumni advances its motto of “Caring for Kids” from its national headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and an additional 30 chapters across the country. For more information, visit www.nflalumni.org or call Amy Glanzman at (954) 630-2100.
                                                  # # #

My 2010 Former and Current Player Convention Summary

Brothers,

The convention this year was the best that I have ever attended. It was the first combined convention and I had the pleasure of being elected by the Former Players Board of Directors to attend the current player meetings. The current player representatives are a well educated and engaged group on the issues that they now face. The thoughtfulness in their resolutions and in their elections was great to see. The resolution to take the interest accumulated in the dues retention lockout fund and divert it to the Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust (PAT) fund was one great example of that (post lockout).

The biggest news was the passing of the resolution to amend the NFLPA constitution to read,

1. All references to retired players to be changed to Former Players.

2. The steering committee is not called the Former Players Board of Directors.

3. Two non-voting members of the Former Players Board of Directors will be added to the Current Players Executive Committee.

4. A second Former Players Board of Directors member will always attend the current players part of the convention.

5. An NFLPA Chapter President will always attend the current players part of the convention.

This is an historic event and allows the Former Players Leadership a seat at the table with the Current Players Leadership. This has never officially been written into the constitution and by doing so the current players have shown the commitment to the former players that we are all One Team.

Cornelius Bennett was elected to the Former Players Board of Directors to continue his leadership as well as returning second term members Eric McMillan and Jim McFarland. Cornelius Bennett was also elected Chairman of the Former Players Board of Directors.

Nationally the Chapter Presidents worked very hard on the above resolution with the leadership of the Board of Directors. More good news from the former player part of the convention was the passing of the resolution to strengthen the qualifications to be nominated for the Board of Directors. Again the Chapter Presidents like Dewey McClain from Atlanta, Karl Baldischwiler from Oklahoma and Isiah Robertson from Dallas led the effort and brought the proposal before the Board of Directors personally to prompt us for consideration. After much deliberation and some tweaking the resolution met the Board of Directors approval and was passed. The addition to the resolution was that two at large Board of Directors positions would be elected, one in 2011 and 2012, by a national ballot. This will go a long way towards including our dues paying members, who cannot attend the conventions, in the process.

Robert Smith (a past member of the Executive Committee with me), and Emmitt Smith gave great speeches in support of our cause. It was great to see Floyd Little Hall of Fame, and future Hall of Fame member Tim Brown (also a past member of the Executive Committee with me) in attendance. The former player group was over two hundred strong with participation from the wives as well in the general sessions.

There was much more but you get the idea of how truly special the event was. The convention will come back to the main land next year to allow for more participation from the body of former players.

We, the NFLPA Former and Current Players, are a strong unit, with an unshakable bond, that neither the owners nor other special interest groups, will ever break apart. We will continue to fight the good fight. That is my commitment to you all as a member of the Former Players Board of Directors. One Team, One Locker Room, One Voice, those words and meaning, have never been stronger.

Best regards,

Nolan Harrison III

NFLPA Former Players Board of Directors

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