Inaugural Off the Field Conference - April 16-19, 2009 - Washington, D.C. - Discovering The Best "YOU" -
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Sheila Stoutmire
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April 21, 2009, Washington D.C. - On the second day of their Inaugural Conference, in Washington, D.C., the members of Off the Field were feeling smug about a couple things, including a visit to the NFLPA office to meet the union's month-old executive director, DeMaurice Smith.
Names of those pictured (left to right): Eyamide Garrett, Kimberly Alexander, Tamiko McKenzie, Romonda Jordan, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, Ashley Brown, Chanita Foster, Lily Springs, Dawn Neufeld, Veronica Sullivan, Karen Ekuban and Freda Knight
"It's exciting to be here, see the office and meet Mr. Smith before our husbands," said Ashley Brown, president of Off the Field and wife of retired offensive lineman Ray Brown. "It's wonderful to have the NFLPA support us and embrace us this year."
Formed in 2006, Off the Field is an organization for wives of active and retired NFL players. It works to promote and strengthen the family unit and develop relationships among players' spouses. The organization also utilizes its network of women to enrich the lives of those in communities where NFL families live, and has already donated more than $350,000 to several charities.
During their "Discovering the Best YOU" conference, held April 15-19, Off the Field members toured the White House, attended a business expo (with women-owned businesses), heard from a life coach, went to a business development workshop, held a rap session (for sharing life lessons and experiences with each other), volunteered with children at NIH and enjoyed a fashion presentation and cocktail reception at Saks Fifth Avenue.
But they also took care of NFLPA business during their visit to the nation's capital, which included meeting with Smith.
"You're all married to great men," Smith told the group of more than 60 women. "Husbands and fathers first, and then players. It's the same with me--the most important things are my family, my church and then my job. I share that with every man I've met in the NFL."
Smith made it clear to the attendees that he understood a basic truth of NFL family life--and life in general: If the wives are happy, everyone's happy. He said some of the best ideas that have come to him have come from NFL wives, a remark followed by several affirmative comments from the audience. He told the women that he would answer any question, and he said more than once, "Call me anytime."
Some of the concerns voiced by wives included the inconsistency of Player Development departments at the club level; complexity of obtaining medical records; threat of a lockout; challenge of transitioning to a new city; concern about injured players being encouraged to return to the field; and difficulty in getting recognition as a wives group.
"My husband has gotten hurt in five different states," one wife told Smith. "We need to get medical records from all five states and pay taxes in those states."
Smith addressed all questions , telling the wives that he thought a lockout was unlikely. He suggested holding a conference call with a small group of wives three times a month to discuss some of the most critical issues for active and retired players and their families.
The meeting agenda also included short presentations by several union departments, including Membership Services, Benefits, Player Development, Retired Players and Financial Programs and Advisor Administration.
Player Development Director Stacy Robinson said he remembers Off the Field struggling in its infancy and commended the women on their ability to gather such a large group.
"Player Development deals with development off the field," Robinson said. "It's imperative that you be a sounding board behind your husband and help push them. We're concerned about the players while they're in the league and throughout their whole lives. Not only does the player have to transition successfully, but the whole family has to transition successfully. You play a pivotal role."
Robinson said as a former player, he understands that players are being pulled many different ways. "Players are consumed by so much," he said. "It's like drinking from a fire hose. So you can really help."
