Fritz Pollard Alliance
John Wooten: The NFL’s Godfather
His career has spanned over 50 years as a player and front office executive. He has won NFL and Super Bowl titles. He has been coached by, played with and worked beside titans of the NFL game. He has been a major instrument in the successful movement for diversity in the NFL. Commissioners, general managers and head coaches seek his counsel, yet to the average fan of the NFL game, he is virtually anonymous. He’s John Wooten, affectionately known as the Godfather.
Like Marlon Brando’s character, Wooten’s level of influence knows no bounds. His blessings (endorsement) can build a career. To seek and gain his counsel is the key to gaining knowledge and insight that is virtually unparalleled in the NFL.
As a player, Wooten was an All-American guard at the University of Colorado, drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns in 1959. As a Brown, Wooten was coached by the legendary Paul Brown, the dean of NFL coaches. Brown had a profound impact in molding Wooten’s career as a player, scout and later in life as a front office executive.
Quietly Changing The Landscape Of The NFL
It’s been a big year for minorities in leadership and management positions in the NFL. To the casual football fan these changes occur and no one gives them a second thought. The average fan is generally only concerned about his or her favorite team. The success of diversifying the front office has been constantly evolving over the last few years and didn’t just happened because NFL executives suddenly realized the error of their ways. A major player has been the Fritz Pollard Alliance (FPA) working quietly and diligently behind the scenes to push the NFL toward increasing diversity.
The mission statement of the Fritz Pollard Alliance is simple yet profound ‘promoting diversity and equality of job opportunity in the coaching, front office and scouting staffs of National Football League (“NFL”) teams.’ The FPA provides networking, mentoring and career development opportunities for minority candidates on NFL team staffs; encourages adoption of rules and practices by the NFL that foster diversity on team staffs; educates NFL team owners and managers regarding the availability of minority candidates for team staff positions; and advocates the hiring and promotion of minority candidates in NFL team staff hierarchy through public education and communication with team and league ownership and management
Count Carson among those who 'get it'
NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson showed up at the Harris house in Castleton Corners to talk football with a dying man.
Just when you thought loyalty between sports franchises and their fans was a one-way street, Harry Carson shows up at the Harris house in Castleton Corners to talk a little football with a friend he'd never met.
Until a few months ago, the Harrises only knew Carson as the proud middle linebacker during the Super Bowl years at Giants Stadium, where Walter Harris and his cousins were season ticketholders forever, going back to when the team played in Yankee Stadium.
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BEST WISHES TO MILT DAVIS
The FPA has just learned that former Baltimore Colts star and long-time scout Milt Davis has had brain surgery and is presently going through chemotherapy.
Mr. Davis (left) was present at the 2007 FPA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis wherein the First Annual Charles Garcia, Jackie Graves, Bill Nunn, Roosevelt Brown and Milt Davis scouting awards were given.
The FPA requests its members and friends to send him a note of cheer. Expressions should be sent in care of his wife Yvonne Davis, 259 Lamb Road, Elmira, Oregon 97437.
OFF-SEASON UPDATES
Congratulations to Martin Mayhew of the Detroit Lions who has just been named Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager. We wish Martin the very best in all his endeavors.