NFL Lockout: Open Letter To the NFL, NFLPA from a Dad and Football Youth Coach

Dear NFL & NFLPA,

We've had enough.

At first, I thought there couldn't possibly be a lockout. Too much money is at stake for both sides to lose.

How do I explain to my nine-year-old son, Luke, Adrian Peterson's statement, that the NFL players are treated like modern day slaves? Luke takes that stuff seriously. He actually defended his best friend, who is African-American, when a player from another team used a horrible name to describe his buddy and teammate.

I am 40, so I can understand how things can be taken out of context. But Luke is nine...

He and a number of his friends are at an age where they are now watching the NFL Network more than they are watching Spongebob. Let me tell you that when a nine-year-old says things like:

"Why is the NFL asking players for more money, when they are rich?"

The NFL has a problem.

Luke is right and it is this fan's belief that the NFL owners will not open their books, because everyone will then see they have a ton of cash and everything is okay in the world's most popular sport. The NFL is complaining that they need extra concessions off the top at the tune of about one billion per year. The NFL Players are basically saying that if they want that money, then the NFL should open the books to prove how bad off they are. The NFL refuses. I would too if I had something to hide.

For the most part, I can see both sides.

Which means, that you are not free of criticism either, NFLPA. 

Luke and I had plans to attend this year's draft. Then, we see that the NFLPA is thinking about asking this year's draft prospects to boycott the draft.

First off, those boys only get their name called once. That draft is for them and for us fans. It really has nothing to do with labor disputes. So, now you want to take that away from us too?

Luke said it best:

"Dad, don't we spend a lot of money with the Eagles?"

I replied, "Yes, Luke. We certainly do. In fact, we don't go on a family vacation so we can afford to take you to two games per year."

Luke then asked, "Then why am I being punished by not being able to see Cam Newton at the draft?"

Hey players! Hey owners!

Figure this thing out!

In the end, all you're really doing is trying to figure out how to divide the money that my family, and thousands of other families like ours, could have spent on a vacation.

You should think about this.

Luke gets nearly as much enjoyment in watching our high school team in town, the Liberty Hurricances, as well as watching our new indoor team. They are much cheaper games to attend. Luke also had a blast at the Virginia Tech vs. Virgina game last year. He is starting to see there are other avenues to fill his football fix.

One of his goals all year was to go to the draft. My wife and I told him that his grades have to be perfect if he wants to go and miss school. They were perfect, and he's done everything else asked of him, but now he is afraid that he will not be able to go.

I understand that the players have short-lived careers. But, everyone still makes excellent money during this time.

Please, work this out.

We love your product, but we can adapt.

Fix this. Don't disappoint Luke and the millions of other kids out here.

Regards,

Chuck Satterlee