National Flag Organizations Drop the Ball
A little more effort is needed regarding Katrina

It’s an absolute shame that not even something as horrific and disturbing as Hurricane Katrina could get the Nations top flag football organizations to put aside their differences for once and come to the aid of our fellow Americans in need. The idea of hosting tournaments where the proceeds would go to hurricane victims was not only shot down, it was outright ignored.

Forget the fact that it took a full week for such an idea to even be brought up, but when it was it was avoided like church on football Sunday. Members of this organization don’t trust members of that organization. Members of that organization can’t accept that this organization came up with the idea and the organizations themselves loath each other so much that the mere idea gives these National Directors a reason not to do anything.

We all understand that flag football is a business, but the inability to sacrifice the revenue for one tournament or one week of flag football makes no sense especially when organizations are quick to ask for our money for little or nothing in return. At least show that you have a pulse, a heart a sign of being human and put something together. In other words, pretend that you give a damn.

Little league teams and organizations have collectively given more as a single group than any of the flag organizations combined. Deion Sanders challenged all professional athletes to give $1,000 after the NFL could only muster up 1 million (What they make on a weekend in the off season). I know that many of you have given independently, which should not go unnoticed but what about the flag community as a whole? Can’t we come together for one or two weekends and make a mega contribution to a worthy cause as well as a statement? All we are doing is playing flag football, something we enjoy.

The idea was posted on all National websites and of course, most were deleted based on the messenger. After the message was posted, one organization immediately deleted it and began posting Red Cross links; that’s all fine and good but is that all that you can do? Is that your best effort in helping people in situations that we wouldn’t wish on our worst rivalries in flag? Click here to donate! You don’t market your tournaments that way, so why would you take that lack-luster approach to something like this? They don't see how they can benefit from doing something such as this, but the sad thing is, is that they will and they don’t even know it.

Businesses have social responsibilities such as providing jobs and giving back to the community and I have yet to see any one of the National organizations take the initiative to give back. If the Union is made up of players and leagues as it notes, then it should take the ball and make something happen, with or without the support and so should any of the other National organizations for that matter. Everyone is waiting around to see who’s entering first like this is some local tournament. Just do it and know that your league, team or organization came together and at least put forth an effort.  But to do nothing is not acceptable.

How do you feel about the organizations you support when they display moral laxity, by not doing what’s right because other issues appear to be more important like money. It takes more than hosting tournaments to be a National organization; a little leadership and responsibility are also needed. We all should take a long, hard look at what and whom we support; some things are bigger than a 1-hour game.

I just had to get something off my chest and not have it deleted for once.  Thanks again for the opportunity "U".