I was fortunate to know the man and blessed to call him not only teammate, but friend. I was shocked; more like knocked down as I checked Packer.com last night and saw the headline “Former OL Galbreath Dies”.

As a lineman, Harry spent most of his career out of the media and limelight because he did his job the right way. “Harry Luv” to those who knew him was a charismatic, happy, intelligent, and outgoing person. On the field he got down and nasty as he needed to complete the mission. He was named to the University of Tennessee’s 100 all time team and All American in 1991 before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins.

After a good stint in Miami the Packers were able to acquire him in a trade. That’s when I met the great man. Harry was part of one of my greatest memories as a Packer. It was the June camp of my rookie year and some of my veteran players put a mission in my hands. I was given a chance to earn the respect of my vets by getting nine of them, led by Harry, from Green Bay to Milwaukee for a concert. Not just any concert and not just to the show; they wanted all access and to be on stage. And it was my responsibility to get Harry there in time to meet his friend who was performing. It was a major event called “Jam For Peace” which starred about 30 rising stars and top of the chart acts; and I had to get the guys on stage, not just into the show.

Harry was dating one of the performers at the time and wanted to surprise her by showing up back stage. The other guys just wanted to go and check out the stars and shows. I got the go ahead before the 9am practice that my mission was a GO and the clock was ticking. So you better understand my predicament; which I’ll explain. I had to get nine players from Green Bay to Milwaukee’s festival grounds for an all day concert. I had Zero tickets and was told that the show was sold out. Once there I had to get all nine, not in front of the stage, not just back stage, but on stage during some portion of the show. Did I mention that I was a rookie and had to have a good practice so that I didn’t get myself in hot water with the coaches? Did I also mention that we had NO tickets and it’s a two hour drive from the stadium to the festival grounds? Oh, and the fact that I didn’t know how to get there. Double Oh, I didn’t have a car.

Things started well for me because I had a good practice and the guys agreed to make it a bit easier for me. Not knowing if I would be able to get the tickets they decided to call in a favor to a Milwaukee contact that could get some. They were grass seats at the amphitheatre, but at least we were in the door. Still we were five blocks away from the front of the stage. Not where they wanted to be. We also had a way to the show because the guys chose to drive their cars.

Now it was time for me to work. Any and everyone that had a credential or badge associated with the event was my new best friend. I asked every one of them almost the same question, “I’m the rookie and I need to find the person who can get Harry to his friend and the rest of these guys on stage? Please help me?” What seemed like an eternity and somewhat of an impossible task had amazing results. We arrived at the show between two or three pm. Forty five minutes later we were back stage. About an hour later Harry was saying hello to his girlfriend. He later told me “Great Job Rook” which was my welcome into the group.

I don’t know if it was my sincere honesty, Virginia Gentlemen Charm, great smile, soft eyes, dashing good looks… Ok just kidding. I truly don’t know why the young lady that I ended up meeting who made almost all of my responsibilities to the veterans, come true. I thanked her for helping me win the respect of my teammates and making Harry’s surprise possible. So grateful, I took her on a date that hasn’t ended.

Harry “Luv” Galbreath, it was because of you I wasn’t hazed as a rookie. Because of the challenge you presented me I met my wife. You are the third of my big brothers to leave our group. I hope you keep watching over us as you did in the locker room. We will miss you always.

Less than ten days till NFL training camp and the Super Bowl chatter has already begun. The future of the Packers is the hot topic and being fueled by critics, who are chanting their strong belief that this year could be a successful one for the Green Bay Packers. This week I will look at the offenses’ success of the Packers of 1995 and 2009 years as a predictor for how good this year’s team will be.

We all know how great it was to be a Cheese head after the 1996 season. The Pack was back and the foam cheese trend was epidemic. Could we use the success of the 1995 season to wager on the future for the Packers of 1996 and if so could this be a possible trend for 2010? The 1995 year inspired fans to have saddles ready for the great Super Bowl ride. The 1995 team, like the 2009 group, was full of youth but with a larger amount of unproven talent in key offensive positions. Edgar Bennett was a first year starter at halfback to be lead by a second year fullback by the name of Dorsey Levens. The second game of that season, Levens was replaced by another unknown, a rookie by the name of Henderson, who only had one year as a starter in college. Antonio Freeman was an aspiring rookie under the leadership of 8 year veteran Mark Ingram. The field general, a happy go lucky fifth year 26 year old named Brett Favre. The 1995 team averaged just less than five years of NFL experience with Ken Rutgers, the eldest statesman, with ten years. That was year and a half less of professional time than this year’s team which hosts three players with greater than 10 years of experience: Clifton, Driver and Tauscher.

For several offensive production categories the 2009 team boasts a strong favor as a championship contender when compared to that of the 1995 team. The pre Super Bowl team only averaged 3.5 yards per rushing attempt verses 4.4 by Grant and company in 2009. Both teams had proven receivers, but the 2009 team with a 12.6 average for yards per catch not only topped the 1995 squad, it also beat the 12.0 yards per catch performance for the Super Bowl team as well. The 2005 Favre run team completed 372 of 593 passes which was 63 percent with 15 interceptions. Rodgers had an outstanding year with a 103.2 passing rating, completing 357 of 553 attempts with only eight interceptions. Fantastic numbers considering the team started slow posting almost record setting sack numbers due to an offensive line inconsistency. The O-line issues have been addressed and the health of the players is better starting off, providing a more promising start to this year.

As a player you are conditioned to never look past your next opponent, so I won’t jump the gun now. Yet and still, considering the numbers generated by the 2009 team, the better health of this team, and the repairs to issues presented them last year I can’t help but get excited. My rally towel is unfolded and my mini megaphone is ready to travel to Lambeau. The team is never complete without the 12th man present; a call to arms for all cheese heads. And what better reason to suit up and be accounted than a chance to witness history as this 2010 team makes a charge toward it potential destiny? Based on the percentages from last year’s performance and the retention of most of the team’s members, it is easy to see why the buzz is about the Pack being a front running contender for the Super Bowl.

I just got off the phone with my little brother from the NFL, Ahman Green, and he is excited to play football this fall. Instead of waiting impatiently for a call from an NFL franchise he has jumped at the chance to play in the new UFL. Ahman and several other former NFL standouts are pursuing their playing desires and dreams by joining one of the five current UFL teams. Names like Bollinger, Culper, Dixon and Heartwell are just a few names generating excitement about this new league.

I have several questions for anyone who considers themselves a football fan and is reading this. How do you feel about players who are considered expendable largely due to age by the NFL and extending their playing time by joining other leagues? Is this a sensible move by players like Ahman with such a record setting career? Should they simply hang up their cleats and accept retirement or will playing in this or any other league tarnish a legacy they may hold? What about injuries?

Here are my thoughts on these questions. Play on! I am happy this league is beginning and giving some of our favorite players a chance to continue to perform for us fans. The players can do what they have loved and practiced most of their adult lives. We as fans won’t have to cheat on our favorite franchise just to follow them, instead we will have another set of sports teams to distract us from our everyday grind. Junior Seau, Deon Sanders and Reggie White opted to challenge Father Time and delight fans by returning from retirement to the field; now there will be other forums for players to do the same.

Often questioning their ability based on age, the NFL has always been willing to part with players. A player’s worth, ability, desire, and health, are scrutinized harshly at the ripe old age of 30. Football is a very demanding sport and many players do suffer debilitating injuries by that time, but there are far too many examples of players who were severed from team rosters that still had a lot of spark left in them. Not speaking about myself, but I have a friend or two who remember the seventies, but still can run, jump, hit, and most definitely out trash talk many of the newbie’s of the NFL. So suit them up and let them prove it.

If they don’t suit up, what should they do? Retire? Why rush it? The average player enters the National Football League at the tender age of 22 and has 4 years to earn all the money that he will earn for his entire NFL career. Even if that player reaches the 10 year mark he still has to plan the way he will spend the next 40+ years of his life. I’m not opposed to a man spending a little more time doing what he loves before he must reset his dreams and pursue something he may be far less passionate about. I love golf and riding my mower as much as the next guy, but I lose too many balls and waiting for the grass to grow is a huge problem especially during a drought!

As far as injuries go, I am not recommending playing past being released from the NFL for every player. Some players who parted from their teams after sustaining extremely traumatic injuries should listen to reason, their physicians, and consider a less violent forum for which to enjoy athletics. Those decisions are for the doctors and player to evaluate. Football is a violent sport and there is assumed risks whenever you step on the field. I’m sure the UFL or any other league would attempt to protect the player and themselves from harm.

I was only responding to the notion that players, who are truly “healthy” enough to play, have the ability, want, and should continue. Get out and show off those skills. It’s OK to push on. With the uncertainty of the future for the NFL because of labor contract debates it will be great to have an alternative. It will be great to have some names and faces that I already know on the field.

My wife received an email today from a friend headlined “The Difference Between #74 and #4” which contained a copy of the full page ad former Green Bay Packer Aaron Kampman took out in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In the Article Aaron thanked the Packer Fans for their efforts in making his time in Wisconsin special. I loved to read about Aaron being himself, a genuinely humble and gracious person, but what I didn’t expect or care to read was the title of the forward insinuating Brett showed less courtesy by his method of exiting the Packers organization.

The person who sent the email made an effort to highlight the sincerity of Aaron; as he acts unprovoked and without a hidden agenda, throughout his professional experience, to include the 12th man as something special. My wife jumped at the chance to show me what Aaron had done because it was a perfect example of what you always received from him. On or off the field he did a little extra and reached out to make sure the task was complete and done with all of his intensity and passion. For these traits we have and will always be Kampman fans.

Aaron truly is a great man. I didn’t write this to discredit the fact, instead I would like to halt some of the personal attacks against Brett. When he left the organization it was obvious he was personally impacted and had no coaching on how to clam up when given the chance to respond to the media. He chose to jab at the Packer Organization, specifically the team’s personnel department, but I haven’t heard nor read one attempt he made to disregard his attempts at gratitude towards the fans. I can still see him on the sidelines jumping and swinging his rally towels. Happily encouraging those in the stands to do their loyal best and cheer for our defense or a “thank you” from him during an interview after a game for our fans enduring the weather showing us why we needed to push on. He may have remarked about some of you being a fanatic, but that’s the spirit of the “Cheese Head.” Sun, rain, sleet or snow they support their Packers.

This wasn’t intended to discount the heartfelt showing by Kampman, but in the spirit of being a teammate I can’t sit back and let people take random shots at my QB. Brett threw a lot of interceptions and missed the running back’s pocket on his share of running plays, but he played every play with the hope at being supported by the team, administration, and fans. When and if a win happened it was Brett who chose to include the fans as meaningful parts of his and the team’s success.

So, to the person who forwarded the email: Thank you for helping to confirm that Aaron Kampman is a class act, but continue with the showing of consideration and not make unmerited insults towards the most successful quarterback in Green Bay Packers history.

For those who haven’t heard yet, one of the most respected quarterbacks in recent NFL history has suffered a traumatic loss this week. His infant son was found lifeless in his family’s backyard Jacuzzi.

If you have children and you hear of harm coming to another child, your focus leaves any other responsibility and centers on your own children. As a father I struggled when I heard of Randall Cunningham’s loss. I was on one of my fundraising trips in Wisconsin when I read the story. My pulse immediately became rapid and nothing was more important than phoning my children in Virginia. I excused myself from the event to call and hear their voices. Three rings of the phone call took an eternity. A nagging desire to rush to the nearest airport to fly home started to creep into my thoughts. Finally they answered. Hearing their voices helped, but deep down I needed to hold them. In my arms was the only sure way I felt I could shield them from harm.

When something so unbelievably tragic happens all rivalries seem less than trivial. Dislikes, due to wins on score cards cease to exist. As a Packer, I played against Randall and enjoyed the highlights of my defense being extremely physical with the star quarterback. We were rivals only when the clock was running. The pain from the game was only to last four quarters. One can only pray the pain from this tragedy will soon be replaced with memories of happy moments shared as a family with the young man. I hope Randall has the ability to harness the strength he’s exhibited as a pastor and leader on the field to help his family through this tough time.

“Lord, embrace and watch over Randall as he heals from his recent loss. Peace be with yours. Amen.”

Its always a dark day when a sports figure is accused of wrong doing. It’s especially hard when it is a player who when in the height of his career was the best of the best and was a celebrated member of your collegiate family. This is the time to show strength as a group and not let the media’s coverage of the questionable indiscretions of one member of the family shadow the accomplishments of many. We Tar Heels need to acknowledge what has happened, but must continue to push on looking for examples of the members of the Heel football family whose activities may not be head line appropriate, but news worthy none the less.

For instance, Jeff Saturday, the Pro Bowl, all Pro, Super Bowl winning center for the Indianapolis Colts is busy this off season bettering his post career chance to remain a part of the game. Jeff is attending the NFL endorsed Broadcast Boot Camp. This is a mini crash course in the behind the scenes preparation and in front of the camera demands of sports reporting. Many of the top figures in the field of sports journalism travel to NFL Films headquarters in New Jersey to inform critique and educate players during a nonstop media weekend. Players will need every piece of information given and need to remain in contact with the members of the media present for the event if they hope to take one of the few jobs available in sports journalism. Jeff is demonstrating the same dedication to his personal success as he works on his plan for transitioning from celebrated veteran to respected reporter whose credentials were truly earned from sweat and career service.

It pleases me to highlight the positive practices of one of my Carolina Alum. Not just for his Good Samaritan acts or contributions on the field of play. Instead, I can showcase Jeff’s demonstration to the younger members of the NFL family, how to be a professional and in a gown up manner handle your own future. He’s not waiting until faith and the league issues him his termination notice; he has taken the proactive stance and is seeking opportunities to make his transition into his post playing career a greater success.

Night football for prime time viewing was the greatest prank the NFL league offices could ever play on the Packers and teams who play them in Lambeau. “Are you kidding me?” was the question I asked when the schedule came out. Did Gene Upshaw ok this madness? I wasn’t concerned about the late summer or fall months, it was the dead of winter for playoffs that concerned me.

It was year eight for me and I had just gotten use to living in a state where you leave the milk, pop, or juice in the car or on the patio because the winter temperature would chill them faster than the fridge. Now you want to put players out on the frozen tundra without a chance for a radiant heat source. NUTS!

Early in my career I took the sun for granted. Playing football for the Packers, one expected the games to be cool during the latter part of the season. The team was good and the reward for continued success was opportunities to play into late January. Still, the home games would be played during the day. There was at least a chance of a little sunlight to combat some of the bite of the winter winds.

Thanks to the brilliant idea of prime time night games in Lambeau we too may get a chance to freeze our butts off. Since my rookie year people had shared with me their horror or warrior stories about being present during the Ice Bowl. Stories of throwing buckets of water into the air and watching it turn to ice crystals before it hit the ground and getting mild hyperthermia or frost bite while sitting on the metal bleachers of Lambeau in minus thirty degree temperatures as the wind swooped in from Lake Michigan. How they cried because their freshly poured beer froze solid on the way to back to their seats before they had a chance to enjoy the first sip. With the strengths of youth and talent of this Packers team we may have a lengthy season that could witness our own record setting cold weather match. Just remember, the Ice Bowl was played during the day.

Hold out for professional football teams are not unusual conversations during this time of year and they typically involve a player upset about getting higher contract numbers. This is not the case for the Skins’ Albert Haynesworth, the all time highest paid defensive player in NFL history. Instead, the veteran lineman is in disagreement with the coaching staff about the defensive system chosen to be used this year. Haynesworth has been quite vocal throughout the preseason about his dislike of the 3-4 system adopted this year. Sticking to his conviction of dislike he has made several requests to management to be traded. After taking his 21 million bonus check and still refusing to come in to train with the team, his request may be reconsidered. Coach Shanahan made his daily remarks with a look of confusion as he confirmed his belief that Albert would be happily joining the Skins team after he accepted the bonus check in April. Yet another day has passed in the June minicamp for the Washington Redskins and their big money defensive player is still doing his best Houdini.

His statements to the press about his dislike of the system are no longer just an issue between Hayesnworth and the management. His teammates are up in arms about Albert’s refusal to join them and they have alluded in interviews they are taking the matter personally. Veteran defender London Fletcher said, “He turned his back on us.” Other members of the team have compared his desire to get his check and not play as the performance of an actor, “He loves money not football.”  Another team member simply cut to the chase and called him an “A**hole.” They went further to say the team feels the need to have members they can depend on.

The team is now considering their options to retrieve part of the money given in the bonus to Haynesworth for refusal to participate in mandatory camps. Unfortunately, this issue will continue to gain weight as the season approaches. It also creates a problem for the Players Union as discussions begin with owners and the topic of guaranteed contracts is placed on the player desired conditions table.

What his holdout and request for trade is saying to me is that Haynesworth is doubting his ability with this new system, fears his elite status will falter, and will no longer be viewed as a superstar. He signed the contract and agreed to be a football player. So what if the coaches decide to change the strategy, they didn’t reinvent the game. I feel this is a case of a professional attempting to avoid being accountable to a deal he originally felt he could handle. Buck up Albert and play to the best of your ability under the terms you agreed to or give the money back.

Another of the locker room practices I miss are my weekly games of “Tonk” with Packers Head Trainer Pepper Burris; Tonk is a card game similar to hearts. After a long day of practice and meetings, to give me 30 minutes to unwind before I jump in my car and drag work related stress home, I would take a few moments and fellowship with Pep by playing a couple of hands of cards and participate in a lot of trash talking. The conversation would start with the relevant topic of overall team temperament and condition, but as soon as possible we would start pelting each other with verbal jabs, all in good fun; while respectfully avoiding Momma, wives, children, and faith topics. Everything, and I do emphasize “EVERYTHING,” else was fair game. We played these games for years keeping score on the same sheet of paper. The first game I attended after the Packers released me, I stopped by Pep’s office and asked him to relay my condolences to his wife for having to look at and put up with him.  He commented on my inability to manage my hair retention after leaving Green Bay.  Amazingly, he then pulled out the score paper and last deck of cards we used all those times.  We looked at the paper to see who really the better player was so a declaration of supremacy could be made. Oddly we both looked with at the hundreds of games played we were only separated in numbers of wins by 10 games. We concluded the margin of wins was too close to truly declare a champion and he would have to keep the deck of cards and score sheet on a mantle in his office until he joins me in retirement.  Then someday we can get back together and play for the title.

My father was always a teacher to me and often used everyday experiences to illustrate how he would expect me to handle anything. Yesterday while driving to Northwest Wisconsin a chance encounter with a bear offered him another opportunity to show me how to handle myself.

To have a great weekend fishing and bonding was our focus as my father and I drove down some rural Wisconsin highways from Green Bay to Hayward. The sun had set and the sky was cloudy which caused the road to be dark and lonely. We were chatting about the fishing conditions and the gear we may need when all of a sudden off on the right shoulder of the road appeared a large fuzzy object quickly approaching. I slowed to make sure what it was and which direction it was heading. My father, who was resting from traveling, was reclined in his seat with his eyes closed. The closer we got to the object the more rapid my heart raced and the higher pitched my voice became as I stuttered to get my dad’s attention. “Daddy”... “Pop!”... “LOOK!”.... I screeched!

My father, ever so cool, leaned forward, opened his eyes, took a look and cavalierly replied “Oh, that bear.”  Then he returned to his resting position.

“Yes, THAT Bear!” I responded. I consider myself a country boy, but I’m not from the country. For me it’s not an everyday event to see full grown bears walking down the street. I’ve seen them at the zoo, but those animals and I were separated by thick glass, concrete or metal enclosures. At that moment all I could think of was the “When Animal Attack” shows and how I would react if we collided with it.

My father then said to me, "sometimes the danger is not what the animal imposes, but its how your own fears paralyze you when you are in its presence".

Yes, he was right, and I got the message.  When on a dark road and passing a big black bear, close your eyes and let your son drive.

I pride myself as not being just another dad. I want to live up to the ideal of Super Dad when it comes to helping my kids. For trying to live up to my goal last night I must yell: “Help! I need traction!”

What started out as a simple family evening quickly changed as my daughter tried to wow me with her new stunt learned on the tumble mats at her preschool. I was at the kitchen table helping my son finish his math homework when my daughter screamed for my attention. “Dad WATCH THIS!” she shouted as she put her head down between her hands and threw herself into a forward roll. Being the protective dad and remembering my days as a spotter for my sister, the gymnast and junior high school cheer squad, jumped to the floor to show her the “right” way to do it. I started with the Instructional Dad Method, trying to tell her how to get it done. “Squat down and place your hands slightly in front of your knees” Quickly I realized my plan to verbally diagram this move to a three year old wasn’t working.

Here comes Super Dad. Feeling inspired because she was still looking at me with those big beautiful brown eyes; I had to come through and make her the best forward roller of all pre K tumblers in the world. I slid the sofa a few inches to create the perfect lane. “OK honey watch me!” The last words a parent should ever say. I squatted down and placed my hands just slightly in front of me, tucked my head in to my knees as tightly as I could and extended my legs to start my motion…then Blam!

The measurement for the perfect runway, for this big butt daredevil must have been based on dimensions from my high school game program and not the ones listed in my pre AARP retired player guide.  I didn’t have enough room to fit my head, arms, legs and those size thirteen feet as I tumbled towards the solid wood coffee table. Great news, there was no blood. Well leaking out of the skin. The large purple spot on my calf and side of my foot in the morning will be another story.

My daughter looked at me said “Dad that’s not how you do it;” then shook her head and walked away in disgust.

Winning the Super Bowl was an amazing experience for me, but not all of my victories took place on the field. I prepared for that game as I would for any other. I would find one player that seemed to be the heart of the opposition’s defense and plan to take the first and every other opportunity to destroy them. Ok, not hurt or maim, but simply knock them around a little until they ran to the sidelines with some mysterious injury that would allow them to hide on the sidelines for a few plays in order to get a break from the inevitable pounding. For the Pats that year it was a very talented and appropriately respected Ted Johnson. Film showed he knew how to make an impact defensively and he rose to the occasion in a big game. I felt for me to have a complete game and truly be a difference maker for my team I would have to bang heads with Ted and cause him to be slower making plays.

Well, coach Holmgren had a different, more conservative plan. We ran the ball well and he used me as a power blocking back. The exception to my plan was that we ran at every other linebacker except Ted. So my big plan to have a momentum setting block against the best the Pats had to offer went unfulfilled. You dream your entire childhood of being the big playmaker for your team and my wish was doused by what proved to be a smart plan. We won the game, but I still had an unresolved feeling of having an incomplete game because I didn’t get to throw my block...

After the game ended I had a chance to reason with myself and move on to celebrate. Fortunately, I had my sister in for the game to help me forget about what didn’t happen and enjoy what did! We put my father and uncle to bed and went to the streets of New Orleans. We hit Bourbon Street and hooped and hollered with the Packer and Pat fans before making our way to the Hard Rock. The party was a huge event with tons of celebrities and long lines for anyone trying to get in. I was feeling confident because for the first time I was being recognized as a professional athlete and now a World Champion; so I stepped out of line to ask the door bouncer to pull some strings and get us in.

I was only gone for a few minutes but during that time some eye contact must have taken place between who of all people, Ted Johnson and my sister. He didn’t approach her, but later it became obvious she had caught his eye. She was cute for a sister. I had no clue if anything happened while I was chatting with the bouncer getting my sister and myself the speedy VIP entry into the club. As soon as all that was taken care of we were on our way to party. The music was great and my sister was excited to be enjoying such a memorable night with her little bro. We danced, laughed, and were having such a great time until both of us were parched. I, being the Virginian Gent, went to get us some drinks.

About that time Ted and his boys entered the area my sister and I were partying. He must have been a man on a mission because again I had only left my sister’s side for a short time and he made a “B” line to get her attention.

Honestly, I have a great deal of respect for Ted. He was a great team player and a nice guy off the field, but let’s be serious “He’s a LINEBACKER!” Oh, and he was trying to talk to my sister. Not on my watch! I casually strolled over and placed her drink in her hand and said hello to everyone standing there. Ted looked at me and replied “What’s up…back?” I asked him if he was having a good time and thanked him for keeping my sister company until I got back. He replied he was enjoying the evening and “What do you mean your sister?” He looked at her and then at me, dropped his head and murmured “That’s f***ed up! Of all people William’s sister!” I felt_____ Great! I didn’t get to have the block of the game, but that was definitely the block of the night! Oh, don’t be upset with me. My sister was taken and only flattered at the gesture. He was a gentleman she said!

I’m often asked by fans, friends or the simply curious, “Do you miss Football?” And I can understand why people are curious; I have professed my undying love of the game. It has created the avenues that have treated me to a life of opportunity, pleasure, and success. It’s been my past time and profession for over 30 years. How could I not? I usually have a canned answer to deliver, but a couple of days ago in the Milwaukee airport, I was asked by another passenger that very same question and I couldn’t hold back some of my real feelings. I will share one of them with you today and over the next few blogs.

What I miss about the game may sound familiar, but it’s the locker room. Not the lockers, carpet, showers and definitely not the smell. I’m referring to the antics and conversations of the players that create the locker room vibe. What players often call “team business.”

Sometimes these experiences took on a life of their own and got too big for the confines of the stadium. One particular incident made itself public and has been considered legendary; as was the prank war between Packer teammates and good friends, Ahman Green and Marco Rivera. Two talented, highly decorated players with family responsibilities and too much time for mischievous activity. According to Ahman it started in the 2003 training camp because Marco put Icy Hot in his helmet as a prank before practice. Marco said Ahman started things by following up on a dare and decorated his home with a toilet paper avalanche, I mean blizzard. You could barely see the lawn and neighbors called to be sure things were ok. What happened next was a series of retaliations. For instance, several dozens of live feeder crickets being released inside Marco’s brand new car and his wife getting in to drive, you can just imagine! Hundreds of plastic spoons and forks placed in rows on Ahman’s front lawn. Icy hot in jocks and helmets just before practice and non eco friendly papering of trees and front lawns are just a few of the shenanigans. What makes these events special to me, as I remember back, was that these events made our team stronger and boosted moral to an all time high.

The abrupt halt of these pranks was what also made this epic so special. Ahman felt that he scared Marco into quitting as he played the greatest prank caught on film. What started out like a normal day progressed into one of the funniest! As usual the team left the field house and made their way to practice through the players parking lot and over to the Hudson Center. What was unusual for the team was finding our award winning right guard Marco Rivera’s brand new H2 Hummer proudly displayed on stands without a speck of tire rubber. All four tires taken to be held at ransom!!! Ahman had arranged for a local tire company to remove the tires and hold them until his garage remote that was taken by Marco earlier in the week was returned. It was pranking done at its finest. Being that it was a division game week ESPN was there to catch our team’s dirty little tricks and showed the world. Photos of Marco’s brand new H2 Hummer sitting in the parking lot prior to practice on jack stands with ZERO tires was a Da Da Dant...ESPN discussion for a while.

We all remain close and I called them both last night and asked them to comment on the “prank war.” Marco laughed and said he also felt locker room times were some of his favorite memories as a player. He described time together, “on the bus leaving an away stadium after a BIG Win!” as confirmation the chemistry we had worked. Ahman was a bit taunting as he remarked that Marco was still disturbed he “put his Hummer on blocks” and he should just “Fa getta about it”.

As I said before, this was an example of why I miss playing. The locker room created some fabulous relationships and those bonds generated some amazing memories.

It is known that substance abuse in professional sports is frowned upon and punishable, but the question is the variance of consequences.  There are supposed to be strict rules and set punishments for different offenses, but the rules seem to have loopholes and in some cases benefits…

For instance, Brian Cushing, linebacker for the Houston Texans should’ve had his Defensive Player of the Year honor revoked and not been considered a candidate after failing the league’s strict substance abuse policies. He was not taken out of consideration for the award and won the revote. As a result of getting caught cheating, he not only walked away with the high honor, but he also received a ton of name and face recognition; which will more than likely boost his marketability. Cushing isn’t the first Defensive Rookie of the Year to get caught violating the league’s substance policies, remember Shawne Merriman?  Yes, the league has a staunch self policing system, but it seems quite evident the structure of the business of football allows some football players to feel entitled to risk a few weeks suspension for the accolades and prosperity later.

With that said, let us all try to adhere to this golden rule. Do unto others and not assume that you can bend the rule because others may let you.

A reporter recently asked me if athletes feel they are deserving of a greater piece of the pie than others. She asked me to look at the countless numbers of examples of athletes that have been recently involved in illegal, immoral, or “selfish” actions; then answer the question “what is it about their career that gives them freedom without boundaries?”

At first I felt obligated to study the actions of athletes in hopes of defending my brothers in sports. I admit this question stumped me and I wondered if I may further tarnish the reputations of all athletes. I never want to leave you, the reader, with a presumption that I would want to give license to anyone to take liberties based on opportunity or occupation. I’m proud to say that my look into this matter doesn’t defend the recent discretion of some troubled athletes, yet doesn‘t condemn them or other athletes either.

I polled several men and women of my local YMCA to give me their perspective as to what, or should I say why they or any other has a sense of entitlement; for example, in cases of infidelity.  Unexpectedly, the answers given were that the action of being unfaithful is a choice made in haste and based on selfish bravado. The group felt these were choices made by people who find themselves with idle time and opportunity. The key word being OPPORTUNITY. This wasn’t a choice of entitlement to be pinned on one group or occupation. The Today Show reported on this issue Tuesday in a story entitled “The Science of Commitment.”  The finding of this research supported the conclusion of the polled as it stated most people are too busy to be unfaithful.  It’s typically a result of random occurrence at a conference or convention. Those who chose to comment stated taking part in behavior such as being unfaithful was not due to some feeling of right, but more so a result of the randomness of opportunity. The resulting actions of selfish desire mixed with false security of idle time and lack of familiar people hold a person accountable.

The topic of service brings out a common feeling that has unfairly been used to criticize athletes and others in the media. However minor, we all have a level of expectation when circumstances involve service and our paying for them.  If you are seated in a restaurant you don’t expect the food to come out slowly, taste bland, and be made to feel unwanted as a customer.  As the customer you feel entitled to the most basic courtesies. Smart business sense is to make each and every customer feel welcomed and the service provided should be excellent to all not just based on celebrity.

We were led to believe that the Quahog, Rhode Island community finally realized Stewie’s ways. His desires to bring physical harm to his mom were carried out and his history of terror was revealed as she mysteriously returned. The story continues as Stewie dodges the law, takes his dog hostage, and inevitably takes over the world.

I knew this episode was good because I literally had to force my kids to leave the room. My son wanted to stay and snicker at the gratuitous boob references. The mom, Lois, being forced by baby Stewie to breast feed him and the dog, Brian, struggling with his obsession over Lois, arguing for the chance to be the poison tester before everyone else in the room. Peter, the dad, feeling himself up after he and Lois exchanged bodies due to an accidental mishandling of Stewie’s mad scientist contraption. And a demand from Stewie allowed a cameo of Hilary Swank’s bosoms to be exaggerated in cartoon form.

Some foul language. Gratuitous fight scenes. Random gun fire. Cameos by some of the fan favorites including the American Idle judges, Captain Picard aka Patrick Stewart, and did I mention Hilary Swank? All in all a very entertaining option when you look at the other possibilities for TV distractions.

What?  Should I be watching the ongoing coverage of morality breakdowns in sports figures? The Tiger Chronicles? The college male athlete who “accidentally” slams his ex girlfriend’s head against a wall until she dies? Trash talking between hockey players as one tries his hand at dentistry and the other bites the hand that pulls?  Or my least favorite soap opera, the tarnishing of my NFL Shield?  It’s bad enough the young and ignorant players choose to forget morality and stray on the wild side; now we have coaches, the paid organizers allegedly getting caught with their hands in the cookie jar or should I say in the medicine cabinet. What next?

I’ll stick with my cartoons for drama and gratuitous violence. Can we please get back to business? Let’s play ball.

This could prove to be one of the strongest groups for competitive training camps the Green Bay Packers have seen in quite a while. The seven draftees all play positions that have strong veteran candidates returning who are hoping to retain their perspective positions. Thompson insisted that he would not bend or be pressured based on the team’s immediate needs when deciding whether or not to draft a player. Each of the 2010 selected players were hand-picked by Thompson because they were considered the highest ranked on the Packers’ draft board at the time they were chosen. Obviously Thompson’s staff was able to look at the realities of age, injury history, and future salary demands prior to making selections and creating an even greater competitive environment.

Coach Mike McCarthy is further supporting the potential for this year’s training camp. According to McCarthy he will allow all of the players to compete for their positions.

The new draft choices will be put into position to shadow their veteran teammates and be evaluated based on the potential to replace their perspective mentor. The better the player plays the most time and will be given the opportunity to showcase their ability.

I encourage each of the veterans to not tread lightly and to be prepared to exercise with extreme focus; because on paper, the seven drafted players are all capable of pressuring for valuable playing time.

By accident we were collectively made aware of a nasty practice that has been adopted by members of the NFL personnel departments. In order to startle players out of their comfort zones, harsh and sometimes personal questions are asked in order to generate radical responses from players.

In regards to the practices of fairness and professional courtesy let’s look at the inappropriate questioning of Dez Bryant, a first round wide receiver selection for the Dallas Cowboys. GM Jeff Ireland of the Miami Dolphins, in an attempt to throw the young player off his guard, asked Bryant if his mother was still a prostitute. How should a young man react to a question like this?! How would it benefit the team by having Bryant or any other player be asked to reveal such information if it was in fact the situation? How would a player feel about contributing to the success of a team that would allow him to be chastised by his superiors in this manner? According to coach Ditka in an SI article, his response was the GM should have received a crack across the head for asking such a personal and degrading question. I can’t cosign an action of aggression like that, but I will urge Dez Byrant to never forget the ignorance displayed by Ireland. Fortunately for Bryant he wasn’t drafted by the Fins!

The talks of the NFL’s direction in the uncapped year have had me pondering. What are we as a union of players choosing to take a stance for as talks begin? How has DeMaurice Smith, our newly appointed leader, been received and how much success has he had in the young twelve months he’s been in office?  What are some of the most unpalatable demands NFL owners are making in preliminary contract discussions and how unified are they as the opposing force?  My trip to the JB Awards in Washington, DC last week offered me entertainment and relief as members of the NFLPA were able to offer me many answers to my questions.

According to the NFLPA leaders there hasn’t been any movement towards resolving questions surrounding the current CBA. This is not solely the responsibility of the players association; the owners have had their own unresolved issues. Refusal to openly share information amongst owners about teams’ revenues and discontent over the current revenue sharing contract has owners at odds.  Any possible participation in productive negotiations has been halted.

The annual player rep meeting held in Hawaii promoted unity among active alumni players. DeMaurice Smith stayed true to the selection process platform which included focusing on retirees in future negotiations. By supporting the appointment of two retirees to sit on the NFLPA Executive Committee, he and the NFLPA have chosen to allow veterans to have a voice. These persons will not have voting rights, but by being present and having their opinions heard, they take active roles in discussions for current and future matters.

Finally, a list of the many accomplishments over the last twelve months was detailed. The settlement of the Herb Adderly dispute, which was a twenty six million dollar victorious lawsuit against the league over the use of ex-players images in marketing and licensing deals, initiated “Bucket Meetings” to bring together groups claiming former player interests in advancing goals and objectives, and created a partnership with AARP to expand the retired players network of services. Lastly, it made the desire by the owners to stop paying disability and retired player benefits during an uncapped year public.

I know that my questions will continue to form, but it was reassuring to hear that issues facing myself as a retired player are actively being considered by the new guard. Additionally, it was great to see the legacy created by players like Gene Upshaw, Doug Swift, and Trace Armstrong continued. These men pursued on behalf of the union to argue for the rights of current as well as pioneer players. They recognized the financial and medical needs of these men, the lack of union representations had by some, and the fact that the younger players are reaping rewards from a league that was built on these veterans’ shoulders.

Last night I was fortunate to attend the annual NFL Players Gala also known as the JB Awards in Washington, DC. Truly one of the most outstanding events put on by the NFL Players Association. The Gala is a special dinner with a dual purpose. First, it is a charity based dinner supporting Washington, DC Special Olympics. Second, as the name describes it is an award program honoring current players’ “commitment to achieve excellence off the field through building better communities and stronger families.”

Nnamdi Asomugha, Matt Birk, John Carlson, Danny Clark, Mike Furrey, Marlin Jackson, Madieu Williams and Bradie James were all present as they were nominated for the prestigious Byron “Whizzer” White award for humanitarianism. Nnamdi was named this year’s honoree for his work supporting orphans and women through his mother’s OWIN Foundation. This program provides shelter, food, medicine, and scholarships to orphans and widows in Nigeria as well as other community centers in other parts of Africa. He also offers aide to children in the bay area as he contributes to the East Oakland Youth Development Center, committing almost every Monday afternoon since 2004 to mentoring and tutoring inner city youth at the center.

Percy Harvin received the Emerging Leader Award. Maurice Jones-Drew received the JB Empowering Youth Award for his efforts in hunger relief, education, animal rights, health, and working with the homeless. London Fletcher won for his work as Ambassador for Children’s Inn at the National Institute of Health in Washington, DC. Ray Rice was honored for his work along with teammates Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain on behalf of providing for youth over the Christmas Holidays and his work feeding the hungry in Colombia, Maryland. And Pierre Garcon was given honor for his raising money and awareness for the Haiti relief efforts.

These are the images of players that often don’t make the headlines because of low shock value; however, their impact is immeasurable. These actions truly reflect the loyalty of a player to the game of football and the communities that support them. They are fantastic highlights of the tireless efforts of these men to be warriors on the field and the courage of heart to continue their feelings of brotherhood towards all off the field.

I have mentioned in interviews the joy I have received from the charity work that I’ve been fortunate to do since my retirement. I have supported the Gilbert Brown Foundation which serves as a supporting program for over 140 Wisconsin charities, many of them children based. One such program has been the Make-A-Wish Foundation which provides a vacation for families with a child facing a terminal illness or condition. Last summer we were fortunate to meet Austin, a Make-A-Wish honor recipient and his family at the Pineland Campground. Austin was enjoying a fantastic weekend of games and family fun when we met. His parents were elated watching him having a good time, but had to hold him back in fear that he may overexert himself. Austin didn’t care for this interference because the other children continued their fun without him.

That’s when my group stepped in. Being the “big kids” we are we jumped at the chance to be a part of the party. Billy Schroeder and I offered Austin a chance to take part in some “be still” activities. We grabbed some scrap paper and began making paper airplanes including jets and gliders! Some were pretty planes and others were funky looking creations; planes in the air and planes everywhere. Some of the other kids noticed our projects and quickly joined in. Austin was in his paradise again. His smile was a mile wide and his parents had tears of joy at the site of their son having this remarkable time. We all smiled at Austin’s determined grin as he wound up to throw his planes. I’m still convinced his plane flew the highest and turned the most loops before making the ultimate in graceful landings.

I found out today that my airplane buddy is in another paradise. That terrible problem Austin was facing finally won. I will pray for his family to heal as they remember the beautiful times they shared. I am saddened to know that we won’t have another summer with him and I would like to thank him and his family for sharing some of their time with me.

Hey Austin! I’m making a super duper wide winged turbo jet with big A’s on each wing just for you. I’ll throw it as hard as I can. I know it will never go as high, loop as much, or land as gracefully as yours. But that will be ok because I’ll focus, smile and enjoy it as I think of you. Thank you for folding and flying with me my paper airplane buddy.

Six point one million dollars. That’s the amount Charles Rogers is being forced to return to the Detroit Lions of his nine point one million dollar signing bonus. No matter what walk of life you are from it’s a substantial amount of money. All due to a young man letting his personal and emotional stress get in the way of his professional responsibilities. It’s a very human, but cliché story in college and professional sports. He became a father too early, a parent lost to the legal system, and death of a loved one during a critical time of development… I’m not a robot and these are serious issues to overcome for any individual.

Still, Rogers’s athletic gifts persuaded the usual skeptics to overlook earlier indiscretions with drugs and granted him the opportunity for a career and an instant fortune.

Are we to feel sorry for him? Are we to waste a moment to pause and question where he was let down in support or mentoring?  Are we to ask if he or anyone else deserves an additional break due to emotional suffering along the way, to possibly hitting it big or wasting it when he does? Or should we be more understanding as programs look to the vast pool of talent and find the next eager young prospect.

Ask yourself this. How many of us would refuse to pick up a dollar on the floor as to not appear poor or needy while in the company of our peers? For clarity of point, make that dollar a full college scholarship or a contract to play professional sports. How many times will we read of athletes throwing away chance after chance? Refusing to apply themselves academically, excessive partying, or in this case let recreational drugs stop a college or professional career. Let’s stop feeling sorry for the ball players that choose to throw away those opportunities and grant them multiple “do-overs.”

Coach Mike Sherman once pointed out to a player prior to a training camp practice that the gentlemen painting the roof of the Brown County Arena across from our practice facility and many of the people watching practice, were an unlucky play, an injury from being in our shoes. Not to disrespect the job of the painters or in any way frown on fan support, but they would have loved to trade places and pay scale with the player. He also said it would be best if the athletes trying out did not blow off the chance we had been blessed with.

That year a couple of under talented over achieving un-drafted free agents listened and after a few years in the league, you never heard their names in the papers for the wrong reasons. If you had, they wouldn’t have had those few years.

We have been amazed at his ability for decades. He hasn’t missed a game, won’t let injury halt his effort, and has set every record available for his position. Now, to top it all off he has created a new category of honor for which I’m curious if anyone else will even want to tie, let alone break. Brett can possibly be the first grandfather to ever play quarterback in the NFL. Yes, I know that he hasn’t done all the work to be in position to receive this honor, but in his defense he has kept himself competitive and marketable to remain in the game long enough.

The trials of time, health, and stress have given him the salt and pepper hair. We, his teammates chuckled as the grays snuck into frame when he guessed starred in “Something About Mary.”  Now he legitimately has a starring role for which his senior look will win him rave reviews from his supporting cast. Wait, I slipped again. His daughter Brittany and new grandson are the stars of this family series. Brett has an opportunity to show his skills as a supporting figure. I expect him to blow the audience away. Go Brett Go! Don’t miss a game, leave early due to injury, or halt your effort. No medals but many diaper filled rewards during your play. You can do it! Be the main support in that “little man’s” needs. I always knew you could.

I had a chance to fellowship this past weekend with several of my former teammates including Brian Williams, Santana Dotson, and Vonnie Holliday. We were there to attend Vonnie’s charity event in South Carolina. Vonnie’s goal is to build a Boys and Girls Club in his home town. The event was very successful; a fantastic weekend of exchanging stories of our children and giving back to the communities that supported Vonnie.

A traditional charity weekend that required a bunch of responsibilities for players wrapped in the comforts of festival type activities; speaking to schools, signing a few autographs, pool tournaments, and the Carolina Classic horse race. Fun compared to many of the events I’ve participated in, quite easy. Up by 8am and finished by 10pm. Remember, this was a fun weekend with the guys all for a good cause. Why was it that I wanted to be in bed by 6pm eastern every night?  I didn’t get to go, but I wanted it. Sleep, I craved it. I slept every time we road in the car for longer than 10 minutes. Last year my battery didn’t stop. I could have done ten of these weekends in a row without breaking a sweat. I had a birthday in February and turned 39 and now I want my pillow and warm milk at dusk. The guys were great. I don’t have a bug. So, I ask the question. Is this it? Is this the sign? Am I growing up? Am I now ---- “OLD!”

Ok, I just asked my 3 year old. She said YES!

The draft is the time to rebuild. The position of having the first pick this year is fortunate and the Rams are a team that needs to use their first choice to get the cream of this crop.

The 2009 draft was a busy one for the Rams who used all seven of their choices to collect talent for both sides of the ball. Starting with their first round choice of offensive tackle, Jason Smith, but quickly moving to a linebacker need with James Laurinaitis, in the second. This practice continued throughout the rounds, plugging in a need for developmental choices for both offensive and defensive skilled positions. Obviously, this attempt to pepper the team with new blood and create depth didn’t play out as the Rams planned. They do have the first overall pick of the 2010 draft which is the position saved for the league’s worst.

On paper the Rams had key skilled positions covered with Aj Feeley and Marc Bulger as a part of this team’s A-list of quarterbacks and half back Steven Jackson running the ball with these key players the team had diversity in scoring ability and experience.

The lack of a dominate offensive line was the foundation of its structural flaws. The front five were described as “porous,” repeatedly yielding production far less than satisfactory. Subsequently the Rams finished at the bottom offensively. Last in the league in average points scored, 29th in total yards, 28th in passing and 20th in rushing.

In my opinion the Rams should exploit the value of that first pick, but defer choosing to fix the true problems of that team. It has been rumored that Mike Holmgren and the Browns would be interested in trading up for a chance at acquiring one of the top slotted quarterbacks. The Rams should take the good offer and focus their attention on choosing linemen from the later rounds. The combines and personal workouts have leaked rumors that this draft is heavily loaded with talented linemen and tight ends. You may be able to push to the middle of the third round from this year’s pool of players and find several who would be convincingly confident as opening day starters. A good tight end will serve to improve offensive production for the Rams as well by anchoring the line and increasing the receiving options. It would seem silly to use the first pick of the draft this year when the opportunity to successfully rebuild can be made later and the organization could prosper from the negotiations.