DeMaurice Smith, Head of NFL Players Association, to Discuss Lockout and Negotiations With the National Football League at National Press Club
Smith will be joined by NFL players who have been affected by the lockout at May 27 luncheon
DeMaurice “De” Smith, Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association, will discuss recent labor negotiations between the NFL and its players at a National Press Club Speakers Luncheon on May 27. Mr. Smith will be joined by NFL players who have been affected by the lockout, which began on March 11.
Mr. Smith was elected unanimously by a board of active player representatives on March 16, 2009. Prior to his election, he was a trial lawyer and litigation partner in the Washington, DC offices of law firms Patton Boggs, LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP. In private practice, he represented Fortune 500 companies in criminal and complex civil cases, compliance matters, and internal investigations. He has argued numerous cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Mr. Smith previously served as Counsel to then-Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder in the U.S. Department of Justice before entering private practice. His duties revolved around national security issues, congressional relations, and DOJ budget and finance allocation. He served in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for ten years where he held senior positions in the Violent Crime and Transnational and Major Crime Sections. He prosecuted more than 80 jury trials and handled some of the most significant homicide, narcotics and white collar investigations in the history of that office. Read more
The Future of Football: One in Five Americans less likely to watch when the NFL season begins
Although professional football is America’s favorite sport, there is some talk that the upcoming NFL season may be delayed or even cancelled because the current labor lockout will continue.
The NFL did hold its annual draft recently in a somewhat modified and scaled-back format, producing lower viewership and ratings than in previous years. Is that a nod to future interest in the sport, or an anomaly based on the present situation? Read more
NFL Contingent Prepares To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro With Wounded Warriors
NFL great TEDY BRUSCHI , now an ESPN analyst, former Tennessee Titans coach JEFF FISHER and former Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams player CHAD LEWIS are preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, beginning May 13.
They will be joined by four injured service members, and the climb will raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors.
The highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro is the fourth highest mountain in the world, and the tallest freestanding mountain. It is comprised of three different volcanic cones. In preparation for their climb, Bruschi, Fisher and Lewis will travel to Nevada, Colorado, and New Hampshire for practice climbs.
Among the group of wounded warriors making the climb are Bryan Wagner, from Exeter, CA and Ben Lunak, from Grand Forks, ND, each of whom gave a leg in service to their country. Another climber, Mike Wilson, from Annapolis, MD struggles daily with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI) while Nancy Schiliro from Hartsdale, NY gave an eye in service to her country. These warriors recently completed a three day training session at Under Armour’s IMG Training Academy in Florida; participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands, NM; and climbed Quandary Peak in Golden, CO. Read more
Golf With Steelers Past and Present and Support Needy Kids and Seniors
The Salvation Army and WTAE TV’s Project Bundle-Up Slates 14th Annual Heath Miller Minigolf Classic
Join your host, Pittsburgh Steelers great, Heath Miller, for a night of fun and philanthropy at The Salvation Army and WTAE TV’s 14th Annual Minigolf Classic. Enjoy an exclusive evening with Heath and a host of Steelers alumni players on Thursday, June 16th, along with celebrity guests from WTAE TV Channel 4 at the RMU Island Sports Center on Neville Island for food, photos and a round of miniature golf. Peoples Natural Gas, a faithful supporter of Project Bundle-Up, is sponsoring the event.
Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. The event starts off with an exceptional dinner, followed by a round of celebrity minigolf, a sumptuous dessert buffet and a selection of great give-aways. Two entrance fees are available, depending upon the extensive array of perks and keepsakes that are chosen.
At the top price point is the Black & Gold Team Sponsor at $1,500. This package allows six players and provides participants with custom apparel; dinner by Bart’s Catering and Fine Foods, Inc.; a round of minigolf; putt with event host, Heath Miller; putt with former Steelers Greats like Robin Cole, Marv Kellum, Randy Grossman and John Banaszak; putt with WTAE-TV Channel 4 personality hosts; a professional photograph taken with Heath Miller for each team member in a keepsake folder; professional plaque for each member of the winning team; and a post minigolf dessert reception with great giveaways. Read more