NFL + Concussions...Stuck in the Neutral Zone

We’re hearing a lot of talk about concussions in football through TV pieces on shows such as Outside the Lines on ESPN, E:60 on ESPN, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO; and magazine and newspapers pieces in ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and others.

There is the pending lawsuit brought against the NFL by more than 4,000 former players and more than 1,500 of their families.

We’ve all heard about the suicides most notably of Andre Waters, Ray Easterling, Dave Duerson, and Junior Seau.



Al Toon 
during his NFL playing days.

With it being Super Bowl week many folks have been weighing in on concussions.

A lot of talk…that’s all it is. And, as my dad used to say talk is cheap.

We won’t be moving from this talking stage to something credible…making major changes in the game of football anytime soon.

There is no outrage.

No outrage for Jim McMahon, a 53-year-old man and former NFL quarterback who had four documented concussions, has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. He gets ready to walk out of the house to get the mail and can be found 20 minutes later at the kitchen table struggling to remember where he was going. And, he is not the only one.

No outrage for Leroy Hoard, 1989 Rose Bowl MVP for Michigan and 10-year NFL running back, who is facing post-concussion syndrome…with headaches, dizziness, depression, and sensitivity to light. Every day he writes notes to himself and writes three names on his notebook…Andre Waters, Dave Duerson, and Junior Seau…to remember their trials and that they committed suicide. And, most importantly to be thankful to the three folks who helped him…former NFL players Robert Smith and Keith Byers, and his wife, because he knows he “could’ve been one of those three guys.”

No outrage for Ray Easterling, Andre Waters, Dave Duerson, and Junior Seau and what they have faced…changes in their personalities…depression…and a sense that there was no way to re-gain what they had lost, so they took their own lives.

No outrage for Alex Smith, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, who followed the new rules for players who have concussions, and lost his job. That’s right, Alex, who was having the best season of his career…a top qb rating of 104.1%; completed 153-of-218 passes for 1, 737 yards; led the league in completion percentage of 70%; did what he was supposed to do and lost his job.

Note to the NFL: this rule change won’t help going forward. In fact, Greg McElroy, third-string quarterback for the New York Jets, did not inform his team of his concussion until days later after what happened to Alex. I wonder how many other players forgot to tell their teams what was going on with them this season.

Until we are moved to outrage the NFL will only continue to make minor rule changes that may or may not make a difference.

It all comes down to the fact that America loves pro football just the way it is. We love the hitting…the violence…the gladiator aspect of it. We really don’t want it to change.

President Obama came out this week and said that if he had a son he doesn’t think he let him play football. And, based on this statement, others think that in two to three decades there will be fewer people playing football.

This sentiment is not new. Football has always been a violent, dangerous sport. Back in the 1970s (when there were fewer rules to protect the players) two of my older cousins played football in Racine, Wisconsin at Horlick High School…Dave Katz and Jeff Kaufman. Both were good players…Dave had the option to play at the University of Wisconsin, but chose not to…and I believe Jeff could have played at the next level if he wanted. Both faced many injuries that still linger today. Based on the sight of their injuries my mom would not let my brother play football. I’m sure she is not the only parent who has felt this way…

And, yet three decades later there are still plenty of guys who want to play…and the NFL is the most-watched sport in America.

We have always known football is not a safe sport. If we haven’t witnessed the injuries, we’ve seen their results former players who hobble around or worse.

Who could forget Jack Tatum’s hit on Darryl Stingley in 1978…the one that left Darryl paralyzed?

Or what about the hit in 2010 that left Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand paralyzed?

This past high school football season in San Jose, CA, there were three incidents where players had to be carried from the field on a gurney all strapped in. I witnessed one of these in a semi-final playoff game. And, yes, I would have to say that in all my years of covering high school football I have never heard of three incidents like this within five weeks of each other. It is quite disturbing.

However, major injuries like this, as well as concussions, could be reduced by simply teaching players the correct tackling technique.

And, this week we don’t have to look far to find someone who does it the right way…San Francisco 49er Dashon Goldson.

Dashon Goldson making a tackle.

Yes, he is a hard hitter, and he was fined in December for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (this is his only fine for this during his career), but he has 346 tackles since 2009. And, he has only had one concussion throughout his career, while he was playing at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas and missed only two games in the NFL due to a knee injury. He’s is doing something right.

He was taught his heads-up approach by Bobby Hosea, a former UCLA cornerback, and Pop Warner coach. Hosea, who is known as the tackling guru, is a consultant for USA Football, the governing body for the sport at the youth and amateur level. He has also started a “Heads-Up Tackling” program for USA Football, along with director Peter Berg and former NFL lineman LaVar Arrington, to give youth coaches a standardized way to teach proper tackling…trying to change the game from the beginning, where kids learn how to play.

While the NFL is focusing on kickoffs, new helmets, protecting quarterbacks (and what about other players like the ones tackling) it is not looking at the cause of the concussions…the hits.

“I don’t think a helmet is going to keep you from getting a concussion,” said Goldson. “You can do it by playing clean football−hitting people hard, but doing it clean.”

Football isn’t going away anytime soon. The fans and the players love the game too much.

When asked this week about his views on the game, Ravens free safety Ed Reed said he knew the dangers of the sport when he got into it, “Some days, I wake up and I’m like, ‘Where did my memory go?’ But I signed up for it.”

“Football has been like this for ages,” he continued. “It’s going to be a violent sport. You are going to have repercussions from that. But every player that plays this game and will play this game signed up for it. We signed up for it. We know what could happen. That’s the life we choose to live.”

He did go on to say he would not encourage his son to play, however if his son wanted to play, he would educate him on the sport.

And, he is not the only current or former player who feels this way.

Al Toon in a classic pose.

Al Toon was a former Wisconsin Badger standout and New York Jet wide receiver for eight seasons…a three-time Pro Bowler, who walked away from the game in 1992 after suffering at least nine concussions. He suffered post-concussion syndrome…sensitivity to light, irritability, nausea, and lapses in concentration and memory, among other things. In the middle of the day, Al could be found lying in the dark with sunglasses covering his eyes. It took three years for these side effects to go away.

Although all of them have not subsided…he still has some lingering issues…strobbing (bursts of light and dark), difficulty concentrating and retrieving information.

Al was afraid of what the next hit…the next concussion would bring, so he retired from what might have been a Hall of Fame career…he caught passes in 101 consecutive games, had 517 total receptions, and averaged 12.8 yards per catch.

Remember, this was back in 1992…yes, we know more about concussions today, but we’ve known that players have been feeling the impact for years…this is not new.

A player walked away from the game like this and the NFL, the fans, and others did not take notice.

Where was the outrage for Al Toon?

His son, Nick, is following in his footsteps. He also plays wide receiver and was drafted by the New Orleans Saint and spent the year on injured reserve with a foot issue.

It is important to note that Al has not joined the legions of other players suffering from after-effects of their concussions in their lawsuit against the NFL.

Al understands the nature of football, “Even if my career hadn’t ended that way, football is a violent sport,” he said.

And, he wasn’t about to stop his son from playing a game he was passionate about.

While Nick has seen the results of numerous concussions up close, it hasn’t stopped him from playing.

“With what happened with my dad, you don’t wish that on any player,” said Nick. “It’s part of the game. It’s going to happen. I think it’s something that you realize, accept, and go out and play.”

Players still want to play…even though they know the possibilities.

Major change doesn’t come quickly in the NFL. They knew about concussions and the after-affects for years and did nothing about it. Only in the last few years have they admitted this exists.

Addressing this issue with the thoughtfulness and seriousness that is deserved will only come with outrage…or more likely with a court ruling or settlement in favor of the players. Money will make the sleeping giant, NFL, wake up and take notice.

Let’s hope it’s not too late for the current and next generation of players…like Alex Smith, Jay Cutler, RGIII, Greg McElroy, Nick Toon, and others.

Jorell Woodward, Diabetes, and Training for a new Journey

He was a physical education coach, taught after-school programs.

He started teaching boxing two years ago and now teaches boxing and TRX at Stanford.

He’s a personal trainer and runs a kickboxing boot camp on Sunday’s with his friend Jonathan Hoskins for their company, Pound for Pound Fitness.



Jorell standing on the ball
 in the gym.

And, he used to have a training company with his brother Tory and a childhood friend, Teddy Gaines. This is how I met him…at the gym more than a year ago.

On the side he competed in kickboxing and Jiu -Jitsu.

It couldn’t happen to him…right? Not to a guy who’s whole life revolved around fitness.

But it did…and, in his own words, it was...“Boom…you have diabetes.”

These are the words Jorell Woodward heard nearly two years ago. Three words that have changed his life completely.

He used to work out…a lot, and was in great shape…yet it still happened to him. It could happen to any of us.

I sat down recently with Jorell and he shared his story.

PJ: What were the signs that you had diabetes?

Jorell: I was competing in a Jiu-Jitsu competition and needed to make weight. I need to be less than 167 pounds and was between 175 and 180 at the time. So, I layered up [on clothes and ran] and lost 17 pounds in 2 days. I was used to cutting weight, but this worked fast, too fast. It was weird. I never lost that much that quick…17 pounds in 2 days! After the competition I couldn’t gain the weight back.

And, when they say frequent urination, they mean it! I couldn’t stop. At night, every 15 minutes I’d have to go. I didn’t want to go to sleep because the moment I laid down I had to get up. I also was thirsty for sugary stuff. I’d drink a two liter root beer in less than two minutes.

PJ: What happened when you were diagnosed?

Jorell: It was like Boom…you have diabetes. I was diagnosed between a year-and-a-half and two years ago. I saw the doctor’s mouth moving, but when she said diabetes, I just shut down. I was just listening to voices in my head. My dad was diagnosed when he was 42. I saw it coming down the road, but thought it would be much later. At first they thought I had Type 2 and gave me some pills. They worked for six months and then stopped working. I got sick again.

I got a second opinion and I liked how that doctor approached it. He was straight forward and told me…whoever said you had Type 2 lied to you. He showed me the chart of my insulin levels and the only reason the meds worked for a while was because I was working out so much. I took it hard, but I’m taking care of myself and got in better shape. I’m not happy I got diabetes, but I’m happy it opened a new door for me.



Jorell ready to swing the hammer.

PJ: What helped move you from that shock of finding out you had diabetes to the place you are now?

Jorell: My dad was very supportive and my mom, too. But, Dad could relate to it…it was not the end of the road. I did the research on athletes with diabetes…NBA player, Adam Morrison, who played at Gonzaga, and in the NFL, Bears quarterback, Jay Cutler, have it. You think if this dude has diabetes, I’ll be all right.

PJ: What is your routine medication-wise these days?

Jorell: I take two insulin shots a day. Humalog, a fast-acting one in the morning, and Lantus while sleeping. If I don’t take Lantus I find it’s not that effective and my blood sugar goes up. I know now that I have to use both insulins. If I lose weight out of nowhere, I check my sugar. It’s just about finding a pattern. Certain foods make your sugar go up…like a dinner roll. Subway doesn’t do anything. And, yeah, it can get frustrating thinking you have your pattern going…and then…uh oh! But, then you figure out the problem and you fix it.

PJ: How has your nutrition changed?

Jorell: I indulge at times, but it’s more of a privilege. Taking insulin is not a green light to eat whatever you want. If you do this, you could become an amputee, you could have issues with your eyes, and problems with other parts of your body. Diabetes affects your whole body.

I eat way more protein now. I was a bread eater. I’m that guy who would sit down with a French baguette and butter and eat the whole loaf. Now, I eat way more vegetables…spinach like crazy. Think Popeye! I have a problem with cooked vegies…I don’t like them soft. I need a crisp, so I eat a lot of raw vegies. You save more nutrients by not cooking them. I cut out 90% of my bread intake. The diet is still a work in progress.

PJ: How has your training changed?

Jorell: I keep sweets close so I don’t fall into hypoglycemia [when his blood sugar gets too low]. I run a lot and sweat. So, I need to start with my sugar over 200. I need to start high to work back down. If I’m at normal levels before running, I eat a cookie. I sweat a lot, so I always make sure I check my levels. Sugar is still burning after a workout. Just like a car is still hot after you turn the engine off. You need to let it cool down. I carry sweets everywhere…right now I have 6 granola bars in my car.

I think it would be awesome to reach out to diabetics about fitness. Yes, there are pre-cautions you have to take, but if you take care of yourself it will be way better.

PJ: How has your diabetes affected you and those around you?

Jorell: At first I didn’t like it when people thought I couldn’t be around anything with sugar in it. People were like…you can’t eat that. I had a chip on my shoulder. But, then I looked at it from a different perspective. They cared and didn’t want me to get hurt or sick. I gained 16 pounds in three days once I started with insulin. Once I started taking care of myself I was in 10 times better shape. This all brought my family closer. It made me appreciate things more.

This has all been for the best, in so many ways I can’t explain. It’s my life’s journey. I wouldn’t change a moment.

PJ: What advice would you give others who have been diagnosed with diabetes?

Jorell: It’s not the end of the road. With proper nutrition and the right workout you can live life to the fullest extent. Yes, it is overwhelming at times. But, keep your head up. Fitness has helped me have a more positive outlook on life. Keep running with it.

Barry Alvarez, Bret Bielema...and observations

I am a Barry Alvarez fan.

He turned around the Wisconsin football team.

This is a team that under John Coatta in the late 1960s went winless for two seasons, with the streak ending in a tie.

After going to three bowl games in the early 1980s, the team only won nine games from 1986-1990.

Fans like me were used to losing. The fact was that the best part of the game was the 5^th quarter when the band played.

Under Alvarez things changed. Wisconsin started winning and being competitive on a consistent basis.

He coached for 16 years and finished with a 118–73–4 record, going 8-3 in bowl games−the best in college football history (among coaches with at least 11 bowl appearances). He is the only Big Ten coach ever to win the Rose Bowl in consecutive seasons (1999 and 2000); was named national coach of the year in 1993 and Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1998; and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

When the team captains asked Barry, the legend, to stand on the sidelines once again and coach them in the Rose Bowl, after Bret Bielema took the job at Arkansas, many fans were thrilled. In fact, some had even started online campaigns to enlist him to coach the game.

However, I was one fan who did not jump on this bandwagon.

Yes, what he has done for Wisconsin football is remarkable, but his time as a coach has come and gone. I just thought it was time for him to step back and let the assistants do their thing.

And, while everyone was remembering his three Rose Bowl victories, his winning record, and what he means to Wisconsin football−putting us on the map and close to being in the discussion year in and year out−fans continued to dis Bret, as they had throughout his time at Wisconsin.

How quickly they all seem to forget…it took Barry three years to build a winning season with a record of 10-1-1 and go to the Rose Bowl. In his first three seasons there were plenty of losses. He went 1-10 in his rookie year as head coach and 5-6 the next two.

Bret, on the other hand, just won…and won a lot−right from the beginning going 12-1 in his first season as head coach and earned the Big Ten Coach of the Year award along the way. And, in seven seasons he was 68-24. It’s all about winning in college football and you can’t argue with those numbers. Sportswriters started talking about Wisconsin more and more.

Bret’s Badgers went to a bowl game in each of his seven seasons. In his first two seasons as head coach, he led the team to 21 wins. Only two other men in Big Ten history have guided their teams to 21 wins or more in their first two seasons−Michigan’s Fielding Yost won 22 and Ohio State’s Jim Tressel won 21.

In addition, he took the Badgers to three consecutive Rose Bowls. The only other coaches to do this were Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler. I don’t know about you, but any Wisconsin coach who can be mentioned in the same sentence as those two all-time greats, is not just another guy. We will all look back on the Bret years and realize we were witnessing something truly special.

Last season the Badgers were two plays away from going undefeated and in the discussion for the national championship. Many national sportswriters acknowledged that it was the “what if” season for Wisconsin.

This season the Badgers were the best five-loss team to ever make the Rose Bowl. Three of those losses came in overtime and the other two losses were by three points. It was a tough year…having to replace a quarterback with the skills and leadership of Russell Wilson. Wisconsin had never seen a quarterback of this caliber…a guy who is up for NFL Rookie of the Year after being drafted in the third round.

The Badgers replaced numerous assistant coaches and it took a while for everyone to get adjusted. And, Montee Ball’s early season concussion slowed down this touchdown-scoring machine for quite a few weeks.

The other reason I was concerned with Barry on the sidelines was his conservative offensive philosophy. I remember not knowing if the team would win and counting down until 0:00 was left on the clock. Too many loses at the end of a game on fumbles against Northwestern and others…just not being able to finish.

And, for this Rose Bowl whose offensive plan would they use? The one that got them there with a 70-31 win over Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship game, with an innovative style of play. Or, going back to the old plays that worked with a big back like Ron Dayne, but are not the same with Montee Ball or James White or Melvin Gordon?

Stanford, on paper, was by far the superior team. But the Badgers were in it, surprising everyone.

Barry threw out much of the scheme and played Barry Ball…running the same (conservative) plays over and over. The play calling was suspect all game. I won’t even go into the non-touchdown in the first half and using James White in a Montee Ball situation.

The third quarter turned into a field position game, the defenses were playing tight. The Badgers were down by three and had a 4^th and 1 just about midfield, and they punted.

Even Barry still questions his decision to punt. He knows that in a tight game whoever can break through the defense and score wins. So, take a shot and do the unexpected. Play to win.

Bottom line, they did not do this and came up short for the third consecutive year. As I heard someone say, ‘the Badgers are the Buffalo Bills of the Rose Bowl.’

Barry Alvarez was a remarkable coach. He took an under-performing program and turned it into a competitor. He is a legend and deserves the statue.

Bret Bielema grabbed the torch and pushed even closer to consistently being a Top 10 program. He, too, was remarkable. And, it’s time he got his due.

Gary Andersen, you’re next. You have a lot to live up to. You inherit a program that wins the right way. It’s up to you to raise the bar once again.

SportsLab...Where Sports and Technology Intersect

Sports have embraced social media and technology to engage and inform fans. Everything from Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to streaming video and TV shows.

And, teams have been using the latest technology for dynamic pricing and secondary ticket markets for quite some time.

A football play.

However, when it comes to technology and the actual game, we haven’t seen much advancement up to this point. Yes, players and coaches have used film for ages to break down certain aspects of the game−both theirs and their opponents.

Who can forget Jon Gruden and Andrew Luck at QB Camp going over Spider 2 Y Banana?

Well, we are starting to see some movement in this area. Volleyball coaches are using ipads during matches. And, this past season, the Rose Bowl champion Stanford football team put their playbook on an ipad. And, this is a big step forward…as last season the Stanford players had to learn more than 200 new plays each week. Imagine having to print out 200 plus pages for 80 players, not including the coaches!

SportsLab is right at the heart of this new movement, changing the landscape of how playbooks are created and shared. The co-founders, Noman Ahmad and Monty Mitra, started by creating an easy-to-use mobile app for high school and college football coaches and athletes to collaborate and share plays.

In addition to making the creation of plays easier and more cost-efficient, this product really helps players on the field−as their studies have shown players retain 30% more strategy and are more prepared. It helps players become more engaged and understand the plays and their roles within those plays much better.

And, as Curtis McCauley, the football coach from McClymonds High School in Oakland, CA, said, “When it comes to x’s and o’s and the mental part of the game, that’s where it gets really complicated. That’s where games are won and lost. If we had a tool to communicate this better to the kids, we’d be that much better. I used to give the kids playbooks…they don’t read them…this is a wonderful tool for us…this is taking us a step in the right direction.”

Recently, I sat down with Noman to learn more about SportsLab.

PJ: Where did you get the inspiration for this product?

Noman: I grew up in Oklahoma with a passion for sports. My co-founder, Monty, is from Texas. And, sports are woven into the fabric of the culture in Texas. We’ve always been technologists and tried to dream up ways that technology intersected with sports. My nephew is playing high school football and I see the challenges he faces. What SportsLab is doing is trying to help players get better for their team.

PJ: How did you get started?

Noman: We launched the web app in August of 2012 in a beta test with 100 teams using and engaging with it. They wanted to see an ipad app, but we didn’t have the funds to do it. We have the prototype completed, but do not have full funding to test it, road map it…finish it and get it in the AppStore.

PJ: Tell me about this project with a high school in Oakland, CA, to test pilot your ipad app.

Noman: We’re making a difference in the local Oakland community. We have a test pilot with McClymonds High School. We believe it’s a compelling story. Technology usually goes to the highest earners. But, we are bringing this to under privileged, challenged areas. After hearing about this Oakland High School and Lincoln High School in Southern California both wanted to be involved. It’s interesting, they are going after it.

Editor’s note: Oakland High School jumped onto the project after this interview took place.

PJ: For this project with McClymonds High School, you are using a crowd-funding site to raise funds. How does this work?

Noman: indiegogo is great. It draws attention to the community to drive entrepreneurs to deliver the wanted platform. It helps develop a following and the community doesn’t allow you to have tunnel vision. It opens your spectrum and vision to make the best possible product available.

When talking to coaches and athletes, it’s not about the features, it’s about the experience. This is why we decided to get up on a crowd-funding site.

PJ: Tell me about the competition you face in this space and how your product is different.

Noman: We have a few competitors, but they are focused on BCS teams and the pros. We focus on high school and college, which is unique. The way we do it, helps save cost and time. We facilitate the creation and sharing of plays. It’s about collaboration and gaining feedback to develop great features focused on the players instead of having a massive playbook.

We can really win against our competition by focusing on developing the tool we want to deliver…easy to use, but allowing powerful things to happen. In my background, there are a whole bunch of things that need to happen on the front end to make it easy for consumers. Just like Apple and Google do it.

PJ: What’s next for the product?

Noman: With the pilot we’ll figure out what things the athletes and the coaches want to do with it. We’ll expand out and deal with platforms that are accessible today and roadmap…getting information to help athletes get better. Our big vision is for self-empowerment…really the ability for athletes to make better decisions on their own time.

We’re focused on more adoption and traction…and a bigger presence by next football season.

For more information on SportsLab http://www.sportslabhq.com/

For more information on the McClymonds project and to invest http://www.indiegogo.com/sportslab

Earl Cureton...and the Two-Minute Drill

As we are in the midst of the NBA season, I thought it might be a good time to look back…with Earl “The Twirl” Cureton, a two-time NBA champion.

Earl coaching the Long Beach
Jam of the ABA.

Earl’s first title came with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983 playing with Dr. J., Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, and Moses Malone. And, he capped off his career winning in 1994 with the Houston Rockets and Hakeem Olajuwon, Vernon Maxwell, and Robert Horry.

The 76ers picked Earl in the third round of the 1980 draft. He came out of Detroit Mercy averaging 19.9 points per game.

Throughout his career he played with the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, LA Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, and Toronto Raptors, accounting for 674 NBA games, 54 playoff games, 3,172 rebounds, and 3,620 points. He also played in Europe−Italy and France−in the CBA and USBL.

Since retiring in 1997 he has stayed connected to the game by coaching and broadcasting. This past season he was an assistant coach for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

He’s coached two other WNBA teams−Charlotte and Detroit−and in the ABA and USBL.

On the broadcasting side, he’s worked for FoxSports covering college games, the Pistons, and has also done radio in Charlotte and Toronto.

Earl getting his diploma.

One of his most significant accomplishments came in May of 2011, when he graduated college. It was a Mother’s Day present to his mom. He promised her he would get his degree, but just didn’t…until 32 years later. Earl also wanted his degree for himself and to give a truthful message to kids about education and its importance. As Earl says: Basketball… that comes and goes but your education is always going to be with you for the rest of your life.

I talked to Earl about his career both on and off the court.

PJ: You started your career with the Philadelphia 76ers. How was the transition into the league?

Earl: I was in the right places. Philadelphia was one of the top teams in the league when I came out of college. This put me in a position to win at the beginning of my career. It was a blessing to have an opportunity to be with a team like that.

In college I idolized Dr. J. In my time, he was like Kobe or LeBron. I had posters hanging on the wall in my room freshman year…and three years later I was in the same locker room with him and with a cast of great players like Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Darryl Dawkins, Doug Collins, and Caldwell Jones.

I remember at rookie camp, Coach (Bobby) Cunningham said…I know you idolize these players, but now is the time to get that off your mind—you have to compete with these guys for jobs now. He put perspective on it.

PJ: Tell me about life after the 76ers.

Earl: During my career I went from Philadelphia to Detroit…two great places. And, I had a stop in Chicago. I played with Isiah Thomas and others (Michael Jordan, John Paxson, Joe Dumars, and Rick Mahorn) on teams that were building to a championship. I was fortunate at the end of my career to play with the Houston Rockets. They needed help and the basketball gods were looking out for me. I backed up (Hakeem) Olajuwon. I got quality minutes against Utah and Phoenix (in the playoffs) and played strong.

PJ: You played professional basketball over 17 years. What is your secret to having such a long career?

Earl: As a role player I took care of my body…kept in shape. I wasn’t playing 40 minutes a game. Sometimes it’s better to be a role player. You don’t have the pressure to get the points, etc. And, your career can be longer. In my situation I played limited roles and it enabled me to play longer.

The strength and conditioning goes back to college. Dick Vitale was my coach at Detroit Mercy. He did a great job preaching to us what we needed to do to have a long career in the NBA−staying in shape. I developed my work habits there.

Back then, strength and conditioning was not a main focus. It was not year round…players would take the summer off. Now, it’s year round to get the edge. I was ahead of my time. I’d come to training camp in shape. It was an advantage for me. It was the little things that keep me in the league so long.

PJ: Did you ever think about what would happen when your basketball career ended?

Earl: You always know in the back of your mind that it will end. It’s not the focus you have when you start playing…what’s next? My thing was survival. I had to fight to be with good teams.

Basketball was my whole life. If you’ve done something for 20 years it’s hard to look somewhere else.

I like coaching and broadcasting. They both keep me close to the players. Isiah (Thomas) was in Toronto when I retired and he gave me the opportunity to do radio and be an assistant conditioning coach.

I coached in the minor leagues (Matt Barnes and Lamar Johnson were two players that made it to the NBA). I liked helping kids on the edge of making the NBA.

I coached my daughter’s 7^th grade basketball team…and it kept me smiling every day.

PJ: I know you have worked with Kurt David, a counselor and advisor, who helps former athletes in determining what to do when the cheering stops. What is it like working with him and what advice would you give other players who are facing the transition after playing?

Earl: Find something you enjoy doing and give yourself options. It’s difficult to replace what professional sports brings. There are not a lot of jobs with 20,000 people cheering for you.

I met Kurt and he has given me valuable information to continue with my career and get refocused on where I want to go. He’s helped motivate me. I like the things we talk about. Kurt talks to me about…staying focused and staying after it and finding the door that will open for you.

Storm Kirschenbaum...a sports agent providing a personal touch

When you think of a sports agent, you typically think of Tom Cruise’s character in Jerry Maguire…before he wrote his manifesto and turned into a caring agent.

Most are cutthroat and only devote their time to their top, money clients.

In real life you may think of baseball agent Scott Boras. Rumor has it Boras was a major reason Stanford pitcher Mark Appel, who was predicted to go first in the baseball draft last year went eighth—teams did not want to negotiate with Boras. Appel ended up back at Stanford for another year.

Storm Kirschenbaum

However, not all agents fit this mold. Storm Kirschenbaum of Metis Sports Management is one of the good guys.

He prides himself on serving his clients with a personal touch and exemplifies honesty, integrity, and loyalty in his work.

He was recognized this year by Crain’s in its 40 under 40 list; and his agency was named by Masters in Sports Administration as one of the Top 100 Sports Agencies Scoring Big in 2012. He is the co-founder of the Michigan Boxing Hall of Fame and sits on the board of the Inner City Exposure Foundation.

On October 22 of this year he was inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame for his stellar collegiate baseball career. He played for the then No. 1 ranked University of Florida alongside teammates David Eckstein, Brad Wilkerson, Mark Ellis, and Josh Fogg (all major leaguers), hitting .312. He played his last two seasons at Long Island University – C.W. Post (Division I), and continued hitting at a good clip, finishing with a .306 batting average.

Storm joined Hank Greenberg, Aaron Krickstein, and his dad (who served as Michigan’s boxing commissioner from 1981-92), among others in the Hall of Fame.

Kurt David, a transition consultant for professional and Olympic athletes, an author, a TV host, and a speaker, who was featured in this blog at the end of March, commented on Storm’s recent honor:

“Storm’s induction into the Jewish Hall of Fame solidifies a long string of honors bestowed upon him over recent years. What’s amazing is the fact that he’s accomplished so much already in his life, and will no doubt continue to positively impact others. I consider myself fortunate to have Storm in my corner.”

His agency serves both current and former athletes offering a range of services. They currently represent 70 professional baseball players−15 who are vying for spots on major league rosters this spring.

I talked to Storm about life as a sports agent.

PJ: As an agent what is your role going up to the NFL draft?

Storm: When we have a player who is going to be drafted and he is done with his last college game we meet and he signs a contract. Then he takes a day or two off to gather his belongings and goes to training to prepare for the NFL combine and Pro Day. We invest in them at this point. We pay their housing; give them a car and an allowance, while in training.

From their last game to the draft, our job is to put them on the map…get them in the best shape possible and talk to teams, and set up visits with teams. We develop depth charts on each team to see where the player with their skills fits.

The draft is out of the agent’s hands. It is a misconception that agents manipulate. We generate an interest level. Teams draft players. All we can do is help them.

PJ: There is a lot of money involved. How and when does an agent make their portion?

Storm: The reality outside the signing bonus is that there is no guarantee. Form the third round down players will be competing for a spot on the roster. As agents we only get paid when the player gets paid. We invest between $5,000 and $50,000 up front depending on the round the player goes in. Yes, the model in football is a poor model. It’s high risk on our end. We front a lot of money. We take care of them…they are broke college kids hoping to make it.

PJ: How do you make money on players that are undrafted free agents?

Storm: Our fee for undrafted free agents is $10,000. We break even only if he makes a team and plays every game during the season. It could be a losing venture. For the undrafted, we generate a lot of interest from certain teams (Saints/Lions/Colts, etc., who are known for signing undrafted free agents). We try to make sure the player gets calls after the draft and can choose which team he goes to. We send film to teams and scouts who attend Pro Day. We do interviews with players and show how he comes across in a one-to-one setting, so they can see his character, etc. And, make lots of phone calls. During this time we have a high phone bill!

PJ: It must be hard for these players to watch the draft and not be selected. How do you help them through this?

Storm: It’s natural to watch the draft and think…I played against that guy and I am better than him and he got drafted. My job is to curb expectations. I tell them from the fifth round down you never know…a lot of things can happen. Be ready for whatever gets thrown your way. And, that them vs. a fifth round pick is the same. They aren’t getting paid a base salary because they are not playing yet.

PJ: What happens with these undrafted free agents?

Storm: Some guys are late bloomers and might make up for things with character, classroom knowledge and impress a coach. This is what you hope for. I pick character guys, students of the game, who work hard, always have a chip on their shoulder, and are always competing. A lot of variables come into play. Look at the Colts, Saints, and Jags…teams that take an undrafted free agent every year. A great example is Victor Cruz of the Giants. He was undrafted and now he’s a stud.

PJ: You also handle baseball players in your firm. What is your typical investment in a player?

Storm: We spend up to $1,500 in the beginning for bats, gloves, shoes. The bats that the team gives them are not great…guys what their own bats with their names on. We get equipment deals with Rawlings, etc. The team gives undershirts, maybe batting gloves, and shoes, if you are lucky.

We provide guidance to the players. There are a lot of off-field things we take care of. Remember, these are high school kids lacking in real-life skills. We coach them and are there for them. We help them get contracts for winter ball; obtain jobs for them in the off-season, and do public relations. This is similar to the investment side in football.

PJ: What other challenges do you face?

Storm: Maintaining clients and providing enough services so they are satisfied. So, if they do make it, they won’t leave. We are battling sharks and there are a lot of sharks out there. We try to make it a team approach so they trust what you’ve done in the past to get them a good contract.

I had represented a player for six years. We had a strong relationship, we were friends. At arbitration he switched to another agent. This was a hard, gut-wrenching call. But, I’ve learned from it and hope to prevent it from happening again.

PJ: How do you try to differentiate your firm from others and stop the migration of your clients?

Storm: It’s a shame when kids sign with bigger agencies. It sounds good, but you will be low man on the totem pole and when you need them they won’t be there. With us, a boutique firm, you get personalized attention. We strive for our services to be better than the big firms. We are in communication with our clients all the time. The locker rooms are small and when guys see our clients on the phone with us a lot, you can only hope they are interested in knowing more about us. It’s the little things that set us apart from the competition.

We signed around 45 new players this year and I like to think we are the fastest growing agency in the country. We are moving pretty quick.

Chiney Ogwumike, Malcom Jenkins, Auggie Singh...and the notebook

During my first time around as a sportswriter I loved days when I had a notes section. So many times I covered an event or wrote a feature and there were great quotes or things observed that would never have gotten into the paper without this dedicated space.

Now that I am back in the game I have not had this luxury. Over the past few weeks some nuggets have stayed in the notebook and I haven’t been able to share.

So, I thought I’d use this space to share some outtakes from my interviews—high school, college, and pros.

I hope you enjoy these!

December 6, Auggie Singh, San Jose Mercury News high school field hockey player of the year

Auggie and her red bandana.
Photo courtesy of Sergio and Patricia Singh.

Senior Auggie Singh led Archbishop Mitty to a California Central Coast Section championship over Los Gatos by scoring the lone goal. Over the course of the season, she scored 30 times and chipped in 8 assists.

Auggie shared what’s with that red bandana:

“Yes, I have been wearing the SAME red bandana since I was nine! My parents were inspired by a national Argentinean field hockey player, Vanino Oneto, who also wore a red bandana. They got me one and ever since then, it’s been like my trademark and my lucky charm. I had started doing pretty well with it as a kid and have carried it with me, and plan to wear it throughout my field hockey career. I wear it to all of my tournaments and games, and it is just always something I rely on and something to set me apart from others.”

November 25, the Long Beach State-Stanford women’s basketball game

This was Stanford’s first game after they earned the No. 1 ranking. They defeated Long Beach State 77-41. 

At the time Chiney Ogwumike had earned player of the week honors from both the Pac-12 and espnW.

“Rebounding against Chiney is extremely tough,” said Long Beach State coach Jody Wynn. “She is not just a great athlete, but she has a killer instinct, which separates the good from the great. And…she is a great player.”

Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer on senior Josyln Tinkle, who led all Cardinal scorers in this game with 18 points: “Jos likes to score. She never met a basket she didn’t like.”

November 18, the New Orleans Saints-Oakland Raiders game

Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins picked off a pass from Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer and ran it back 55 yards for a touchdown. It was his first interception in nearly two years.

“When we have fun, we make plays,” said Jenkins, of why the then-ranked No. 32 defense in the league was starting to play better. “What comes first…the chicken or the egg? Do we have fun, then make plays or make plays and then have fun? We come in with the mindset to have fun and play well. We take advantage of every snap, every play.”