Tag Archive for: football

COVID-19 vs. 9/11

I sent an email to a client (and friend) this morning, congratulating him on his company’s decision to provide insurance coverage to furloughed workers during the crisis we face today.  I sent that email right after I had an email exchange with a basketball colleague in Italy. He has been in lockdown for several weeks in a much more difficult environment.

Both asked me about our current situation, compared with being at the NYSE on 9/11.

I understand the comparison, and I understand the market reaction.

But the events are so different.  The events of 9/11 were quickly realized to be the work of a very visible enemy – one we had the opportunity well before 9/11 to take down and didn’t, both because of our President’s unwillingness, and our inattention to details that could have uncovered the terrorists’ plot.  Our surveillance and caution around security issues has changed dramatically post 9/11.

This current killer is invisible.  But, like 9/11, it will forever change some of our habits and aspects of social interaction…and – my guess – where some of our biopharma companies invest in the future.  I can envision investors (and governments…and insurers) funding research and discovery that can identify where the “next” COVID-19 might come from, and vaccines that can prevent transmission.

Col. Jack Jacobs is a very dear friend.  Sitting here in quiet Tewksbury is a blessing compared to what he went through in Vietnam.  And none of us are trying to charge up the cliffs on the beaches in Normandy.

Yes, this is difficult…but there are many worse things we’ve been confronted with.

I’d rather be faced with having the virus than standing in a window on the 98th floor of the World Trade Center, knowing my choice was to burn or jump.

And financially, we will survive.  One of the first (and one of the smartest) guys I ever worked for on Wall Street was Paul Tudor Jones.  He was on an extended interview on CNBC this morning.  It was excellent.  He captured it perfectly.  Here’s a link: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/26/tudor-jones-says-this-is-the-greatest-fiscal-monetary-bazooka-ever.html

To everyone out there, be safe!

(and – for the record – to me at least, 9/11 was much worse.)

NFLA CEO on Fox’s Sports Xtra

New NFLA CEO and former NFL player Beasley Reece discusses what the NFLA does, the Super Bowl of Golf, and more on Fox 5 NY’s Sports Xtra with Tina Cervasio.

ROI-NJ Coverage: NFL Alumni Names Elvis Gooden President

NFL Alumni organization names interim CEO to full-time job

Elvis Gooden has been named CEO of the NFL Alumni.

Gooden served as chief financial officer for the oldest retired football player organization since July 2013, and has been serving as interim CEO since April.

Three-time Super Bowl champion Bart Oates was named president of the Mount Laurel-based organization, according to the announcement by co-Chairmen Ron Jaworski and Bill Schultz.

“We are pleased that both individuals have agreed to lead our organization as we begin our next half-century of caring for our retired players and caring for the kids in our local communities,” Jaworski and Schultz said in the release. “Both men have distinguished themselves in business and have been tremendous contributors to our NFL Alumni organization for several years.  We believe they will be an excellent team to work together with our members, local chapters and communities in the future.”

Gooden has an accounting degree from Hunter College in New York and has extensive management, financial, business and technology experience.

He worked as state-certified chief municipal finance officer for 16 years in three New Jersey municipalities, including New Brunswick. He also served as a financial consultant for several New Jersey parking authorities and has been involved as chief financial officer-consultant on business acquisitions and sales in the state.

Oates played 11 seasons in the NFL and was a five-time Pro Bowl center for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.  He won two Super Bowls with the Giants and one with the Niners.

He has been the president of the New York-New Jersey chapter of NFLA for the last eight years.

Oates earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in 1983 and obtained his law degree from Seton Hall University in 1990, while still an active player.

He most recently was general counsel for Metro DX Labs and has been an attorney at Raymond A. Koski & Associates in New Jersey for a quarter-century.

Members of the search committee that proposed Gooden and Oates to the board were former NFL players Chairman John Haines (Vikings, Colts; 1984-86); Bill Schultz (Colts, Oilers, Broncos, Bears; 1990-97); Ron Rice (Lions; 1995-2001); Beasley Reece (Cowboys, Giants, Buccaneers; 1976-84); and Andrew Bolton (Seahawks, Lions; 1976-78).

View online: http://www.roi-nj.com/2017/12/18/lifestyle/nfl-alumni-organization-names-interim-ceo-to-full-time-job/

Eli Manning and a Lesson in Leadership

(and why 57 years of rooting for this franchise just imploded)

Class Act.

Important description in any commentary.

Eli Manning is a Class Act.

No, he’s not the best quarterback; probably far from it.

Yes, he’s had some great games…and been the quarterback on two Super Bowl winning teams.

But he was the first to admit those wins were a team effort – and while he had some great games in those playoff runs, he realized he was on teams with great defenses, which put him in a position to be that winning quarterback.

Class Act.

As does every NFL team, Giants’ fans know Eli is not mobile. And today’s NFL mandates a quarterback is.

That doesn’t mean a Fran Tarkenton scrambler; it simply means someone who can move in the pocket…avoid pressure…and run for the important first down or touchdown when the offensive line collapses, or the defense simply hands you the yardage. Or to give defenses one more thing to think about.

So the Giants go into this season knowing they have an aging, immobile quarterback who needs some protection to get the ball to a supposedly talented corps of receivers.

And the “brilliant” GM never decides to upgrade the offensive line.

Eli never complains.

Class Act.

It’s a lesson in leadership for every manager. Never blame the troops. Be a team player. And when ownership agrees with the “brilliant” GM (and clueless head coach) to have you walk the plank, say while you don’t like the decision, you’ll do everything you can to help the new guy.

Class Act.

Great lesson.

 

David Garrard Joins the IPZ Team

WARREN, NJ, February 1, 2017 — Former NFL All-Pro quarterback David Garrard has joined InterperformancesUSA (IPZ) as a consultant for the football group, the company announced today.

Garrard had a successful NFL career that spanned over a decade, the majority being with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was also a member of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets’ organizations. During his NFL tenure, he made two playoff appearances and earned a spot in the 2009 Pro Bowl.

In addition, Garrard began his philanthropic efforts off the field at the beginning of his professional career. He started the David Garrard Foundation aimed to help single mothers battling Breast Cancer, as his mother did, as well as children dealing with Crohn’s Disease, which Garrard himself has battled.

Garrard’s passion for helping others paired with his experience as a professional athlete and success after his playing days, will be exceedingly beneficial to IPZ athletes.

“Joining the IPZ team will enable me to work with young athletes once again, and provide guidance at a critical time in their lives,” said Garrard.

“As an athlete, David was a ‘player’s player,’ someone everyone looked up to for his integrity and values. We are thrilled David has joined IPZ for the same reasons,” said Robert Zito, Managing Director of IPZ. “He has lived his life consistent with the values we are built on: integrity, family, and an understanding that life offers opportunities not just now, but later in careers. We help our athletes plan for both.”

About IPZ: InterperformancesUSA (IPZ) is a family-focused management, representation, and consulting firm, built on the integrity of its professionals, and developing whole life solutions for its clients. The firm is an alliance with Zito Partners. For more information, visit www.ipzusa.com.

 About Zito Partners: Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a “ready, aim, fire” approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan. And through its strategic alliance with Ketchum, Ketchum Zito Financial, Zito Partners is assisting additional clients with their financial communications needs.  For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com.

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Media Contact:

Kyrsten Van Natta
(862) 205-9841
kyrsten@ipzusa.com