Hip-Hip Hooray for the NFLPA

The decision to play professional football probably was not a hard one, but what to do after those glory days are over probably is. After many years of justified and unjustified criticism for not taking care of its own the NFL Players Association is looking to help with that decision via their Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program.

One Hundred and fourteen NFL players completed the three page application and took this program this winter. The courses are intense, last four days, and could cost thousands of dollars, but players get reimbursed upon completion.

Since its advent in 2005, the Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program has become a handful of programs the NFL and players union has put into place to help players adapt to life after the final horn has sounded. Newly elected NFLPA President, Kevin Mawae, wants to not only focus on past players but the young, current ones, as well. "Educating the young guys...," he said, "...and the older guys (in order) to get them to understand how important it is that we continue to educate the young guys."

100% of Professional Athletes Ultimately Experience Job Termination. Out of those players and according to NFL stats:

- 25% are bankrupt within their first year out
-50% are divorced within their first year out
-75% are either bankrupt or divorced within their first five years out

Hats off to President Mawae and the NFLPA for finally recognizing that there is an issue and acting proactively. Let's hope programs like the Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program and attitudes like Kevin Mawae's continue for the betterment of professional athletes as they transition back into normal, everyday lives.

You can find out more about me and my book at: www.fromglorydays.com

From Parquet to Politics

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!! Twelve year NBA veteran running for Mayor!

Now there's a headline you don't see everyday, but for former Phoenix Suns, Kevin Johnson, that headline has come true. Kevin has traded in his notoriety on the parquet (hardwood) for a shot at politics, declaring his entrance into the Sacramento mayoral race approximately ten days ago.

Johnson, a Sacramento native and current landowner/developer in the area, put his decision for running in pretty simple terms. "I came to the unequivocal decision that we need a change in this city, and we need a change now," he told a local reporter. "Right now, people see our government as nonresponsive, tired, uninspired, and bureaucratic," he added.

Kevin Johnson has been anything but uninspired and non-responsive since his retirement from the NBA in 2000, Johnson has been back in the Sacramento area focusing on improving neighborhoods and even developing an organization called, St. HOPE, which is a non-profit started by Johnson that runs Sacramento Charter High School.

Since running the team's offenses as a point-guard for the Suns, I'm uncertain if Kevin Johnson ever had intent of running for a mayoral race after his departure from the NBA. But I am certain of this....Johnson has demonstrated one of the key R.U.L.E.S. of my Successful Transition Plan for Professional Athletes....REFOCUSING!

Refocusing is an imperative aspect of a professional athletes' successful transition, and the best way to refocus is to re-evaluate and set new goals. These news goals help establish a new sense of purpose, something intrumental during the process of losing the "athlete-identity" and re-establishing this renewed purpose for the professional athlete.

Whether Kevin Johnson is actually able to fully make that transition from parquet to politics will yet to be determined by the voters of Sacramento, California. But he has already won my vote for being a model former professional athlete, and demonstrating how to Refocus the peak performance principles he once applied into his athletic craft back into normal, everyday life. I hope he does win, simply because of that.

To find out more about me, my book, and my transition services for professional athletes please go to: www.fromglorydays.com