CBS News' 60 Minutes Interview with NFL Agent Drew Rosenhaus

Call him a thief, as rival NFL agents have often done.

Brand him a greedy workaholic for fielding hundreds of telephone calls and emails at all hours of the day from needy clients.

Or claim that the NFL would fall apart without him, as NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus bragged about himself during last night's CBS News 60 Minutes interview with Scott Pelley.

But don't ever suggest that the ridiculously hardworking Rosenhaus hasn't earned the respect and unwavering loyalty from the 170 current NFL players that he represents.

Just ask Plaxico Burress, whom a New York paper once dubbed "Giant Idiot" for inadvertently shooting himself with an unregistered handgun a few years ago. 

Rosenhaus supported Burress and greeted him upon his release from prison several months ago while the 60 Minutes crew captured them on film.  The aggressive agent then immediately negotiated a one-year, $3M contract with the NY Jets for the paroled Plaxico.  When Pelley asked Burress if Rosenhaus was genuine while enthusiastically waiting for him at the prison gates, the WR quipped, "I didn't expect anything less from Drew."

If you ask other NFL agents, though, they'd more than likely respond that they expected more, a whole lot more, from Rosenhaus . . . like integrity.  Other NFL agents have derided Rosenhaus over the years, calling him a sleazeball and a poacher, as 80% of Rosenhaus' current clients have gravitated from other agencies.  Competitive agency complaints have prompted 50 grievances with the union that have been filed against Rosenhaus. 

Rosenhaus responded to 60 Minutes' Scott Pelley that jealousy has been his biggest nemesis, stating that none of the 50 grievances have culminated in disciplinary action from the NFL. 

This super-agent's jealousy defense drips with credibility.  In addition to signing 17 new clients in the 2011 draft, Rosenhaus successfully pulled off the biggest sports representation coup in recent memory immediately following the three-month NFL lockout.  Rosenhaus' firm inked 90 contracts totaling $600M within thirty days, earning his agency approximately $18M in anticipated income. 

The 44-year-old Rosenhaus basked in his own arrogance when speaking with 60 Minutes' Pelley last night.  Rosenhaus came off like he was a walking 5-hour Energy drink as he shrugged off criticism while obnoxiously and selfishly texting and surfing the internet on two cell phones while behind the wheel in South Florida. He also shared with Pelley that he credits his tae kwon do training and "kill or be killed" belief system for his success.

An arrogant showman?  Yes. 

A cockroach and thief?  Depends upon whom you ask. 

Effective?  Absolutely. Just ask Plaxico Burress and the 169 other clients Rosenhaus represents. 

The NFL might not ever fall apart without him; however, Rosenhaus' clients may never find a more loyal advocate and dogged champion for their cause.

Straight talk.  No static. 

MIKE - Thee American Made Voice on Sports!

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