Senior NFL Fan Boldly Expresses His Opinion of Recent Players Issues

Foreword

The interview with Charlie Jackson, a senior NFL fan, veteran and football enthusiast, was conducted after Jackson made very intelligent observations of the situation surrounding the NFL lockout which has been recently resolved.

Jackson, a man of strong opinions, had a lot to say. He has faithfully watched the careers of players like Warren Wells and others from Wells' era, from the Golden Triangle in Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas.  

Many writers and former Oakland Raiders coaches considered Wells a prototype wide receiver during his five-year career, four of those years as an Oakland Raider. He had accelerated development during his career, showing qualities somewhat like a prodigy who accomplished great statistics in a short period of time.

Although Jackson's interview was inspired by a discussion of the football greats from Beaumont-Port Arthur (The Golden Triangle) it extends beyond those boundaries.

I am appreciative that Jackson allowed me to interview him.

Interview, June 27, 2011

‎1. What Bleacher Report name do you want to use in this interview?

Charlie Jackson, in honor of my deceased brother who was a great football player in Texas City during the same period as Warren Wells, who played in Beaumont.

2. What is your favorite team? Who is your favorite NFL player?

I don't really have a favorite team. But, historically, I've always liked the Green Bay Packers.

3. How did you feel during the lockout in 2011?

Ambiguous, and that is because I feel that both the owners and players were acting like little boys fighting in a sand box.

Although, I know that what is really a GAME, has become big business, and the fact that millions of dollars are at stake, is the reason for the lockout. I feel that all parties have valid complaints. The ownership is exhibiting the typical mentality of the slave-owner of the past by not wanting to pay the slave for his labor, and take all the rewards for the labor of the slave.

I also know that if the players don't fight for their fair share of the dollars that they generate for ownership, owners will not willingly give them a fair share of the vast earnings from all of the revenue streams. That's why in the history of America, labor unions have been necessary.

Although, I find it difficult to comprehend athletes whining about not being able to feed their families on a mere $6 or 8 million a year, when there are millions of Americans struggling to survive and doing so on much less.

4. What are your feelings now that it is resolved?

 Ultimately, I believe the whole thing boils down to a giant marketing ploy. In that both the owners and players know that there is a captive and somewhat stupid consuming fanbase.

They both know that their respective teams fans have been salivating like Pavlov's dogs since the lockout was announced. Now the teams have the opportunity to raise ticket prices knowing that these same fans will pay the new higher ticket prices to see the games that they have thought that they would not get to see.

5. What are two issues that you have been concerned about?

In that I have a tendency to lean toward the labor side of things, my main concern has been and always will be the fair and equitable treatment of the individual players, past and present.

Additionally, because of the greater physicality of players these days, there needs to be more monitoring of the types of injuries that occur and their long-term effects on those who suffer those injuries.

6. Do you feel that the two issues that have concerned you are resolved in 2011 or do you feel that there is a process, moving the NFL toward becoming a better league.

I think that there is definitely a heightened awareness of the types of injuries and the effects on players who suffer these injuries.

I think because of that increased awareness, that there is much effort being made to do what is necessary to mitigate and mollify those issues.

7. Who are some of the players that you may know of or have personal contact with?

I haven't had very much contact with present or former players. The only one I have any contact with is Al Johnson, a former linebacker with the Denver Broncos and Houston Oilers.

He has coached on the Middle School and High School level here in Houston, he is a personal friend and coached my son at Madison High School.

8. How are they doing now during their senior years?

Al Johnson is one example. He is currently considering another head coaching opportunity at a local school, but will probably stay on at Madison and assist the recently appointed successor to the legendary Ray Seales.

Of greater concern to me is the plight of former players like John Mackey and Dave Duerson who both recently passed, and others like them.

Damali's Note

The condition and issues surrounding the lives of other NFL players, especially the former Oakland Raiders, will be published during the 2011 season.