THIS IS AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NFL: THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. I AM CALLING YOU ON SPOT AND WANT AND NEED AN ANSWER. Today, is ALREADY TOO LATE!
I am a concerned MOM and Citizen of your PLAYERS on the FIELD and OFF-THE FIELD! YOUR MEN ARE DYING!! And this needs to be looked at, it needs to be addressed, it needs to be questioned and PLEASE "The Powers That Be At The NFL", YOUR PLAYERS ARE IN TROUBLE AND NEED HELP!! THEY ARE CRYING OUT FOR HELP AND..........
NO ONE IS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE PLAYERS OFF THE FIELD!!
Last night, a young promising athlete, Kenny McKinley, #11 of the Denver Broncos was apparently so "distraught" inside and hurting so bad that he KILLED HIMSELF with a gunshot wound AND no one was there!! HE DIED ALONE...... :( where was his help? A Teammate? A Big Brother? The person he could have called? WHO WAS THERE FOR KENNY? NO ONE.
This morning, Braylon Edward, #17 of the NEW YORK JETS ARRESTED in Manhattan as his car was pulled to the side of the road wreakinrg of alcohol and he was flat out drunk!! He turned to a BOTTLE OF ALCOHOL to ease the "hurt, pain, loneliness" or whatever he was exhibiting! THANK GOD he did not end up DEAD or KILL someone from driving behind the wheel!
Michael Vick, #7, the EAGLES gives a STELLAR and BRILLIANT performance on Sunday AND HE GETS BENCHED.....and they are bringing in the off the "injured list" KOLB to play when VICK'S performance OUTSHINED ANYTHING KOLB has even come close to!! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS AND MAKING THESE DECISIONS? These types of decisions can WOUND and KILL a person!! While these are MEN they still have thoughts, feelings, and emotions. They feel hurt, pain, and can get a "bruised ego" now and again. I am sure the NFL loves the high emotions and drama and all the laughter and hugs and hooting and hollering when they get THE WIN!! But, for every win there can be a "loss".......emotions work both ways and WE KNOW THESE GUYS HAVE EMOTION cause we see it sprawled across their faces and jumping on top of one another and high-fiving.....you know? WE KNOW THIS!! WE SEE IT!!
DEEP DOWN INSIDE ALL THESE MEN ARE PERHAPS, "little boys" that want to play football and WIN! But, with all the ADDED stress and what is placed on them, especially as they walk off the field whether it be from practice or a game.....they still are human, they still feel and on top of it, they get PHYSICALLY INJURED......and then are told DON'T be a crybaby, suck it all up, stiff upper lip and what have you!! Oh Really now? I think NOT!!!
I really think this needs to be ADDRESSED NOW. If, a player is struggling with physical wounds, it can and often does lead to DEPRESSION, a relationship breakup, death of parents or family members, loss of any kind HURTS a HUMAN BEING!!
These men are NOT mechanical, they are NOT robotic, they are NOT puppets on a string, they ARE ATHLETES, and they are HUMAN!!
I would suggested you GET ON THE BALL and find some help for your players!! EACH PLAYER SHOULD BE IN MANDATED THERAPY/COUNSELING once a week to have someone to talk to WHETHER THEY WANT IT OR NOT!! This can be a safe place where they can talk "confidentially" to someone about their "personal issues" and problems, be it with a team player, family, coach, referee, fans or YOU!!
REMEMBER TOO: These guys not only compete with other TEAMS they compete amongst themselves....all want to be on the front line, the starting quarterback, but you are not going to tell your fellow team-mate who also happens to be a starting quarterback you are eyeing his game and WANT his position. There is rivalry among team members as well......so WHO can they talk to about this? Right NOW it looks as "if" NO ONE is there.........how sad for the NFL! :(
You are slowly "killing" your players (I am not saying all), and you do NOTHING but tell them to QUIT being a crybaby!! Well, they can cry on my shoulder anytime they want, QUIT the FOOTBALL TEAM and they will be loved, cherished and honored for being a Human Being first. NO ONE deserves to die.......
Especially NOT for playing a "GAME"......and in the end that is all it is......a "GAME"........why not start playing "THE GAME OF LIFE" as well, as BOTH need to be "played" in order to THRIVE and SURVIVE......Life!!
PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLAYERS ALIVE AND WELL AND DO SOMETHING TODAY!!
With love of the "game of Football" and making sure our players stay healthy, well and alive!!
I love you ALL and want you to live,
Suzanne Newkirk
Humanitarian