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Cleveland Veterans

Cleveland Veterans

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2017
Contact: Kristen Parker – 216-301-9462 / [email protected]

MEDIA Note: Calling all Veteran’s to join us for a “Super Bowl Sundae” event hosted by NFL Legend Earnest Byner and his non-profit, “The Healing Dawgs” at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. Earnest Byner will be promoting the VA Resource Fair to advocate for serious issues confronting the Veterans and support the VA’s commitment to provide resources.

NFL’s Earnest Byner along with his foundation “The Healing Dawgs” and the Cleveland VA Medical Center will Host a “Super Bowl Sundae Social” and VA Resource Fair to Promote Veteran Wellness – Mind, Body and Spirit.

 

CLEVELAND – Veterans and their family members will be treated to a unique opportunity to meet Former NFL Player and Coach, Earnest Byner along with some other teammates for a “Super Bowl Sundae Social” at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center at 10701 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106.

The event will be held Sunday, July 30th from noon until 2 p.m. in the medical center’s Rec Hall and will include Byner sharing his inspirational story of overcoming the famous “Fumble” during the 1987 AFC Championship between the Browns and Broncos. Veterans will engage in a question and answer panel with former NFL Players from the Cleveland Browns. ”The Original Dawgs”. Veterans are invited to participate in a Super Bowl/Cleveland trivia game with prizes, and conclude with an “Ice Cream Sundae Social”.

Byner is humbled to partner with the Cleveland VA Medical Center because he understands the connections between some of the medical issues that former NFL players and former Military personnel have in common and need to heal from such as Concussions/TBI, Suicide and the epidemic of Drug Use. Byner and The Healing Dawgs will continue to partner with the community to advocate for Veterans, children and the homeless to promote healing of the mind, body and spirit, and to teach how to love from the inside. “Together we are working to provide hope for our future,” said Byner.

Veterans are encouraged to bring their discharge paperwork to verify healthcare eligibility. Representatives from Veteran resource groups will be on-hand to provide information and assistance to Veterans in attendance.

For more information about this event or to coordinate a media interview, please contact Kristen Parker at 216-301-9462 or [email protected].

The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center is the hub of the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System, providing and coordinating primary, acute and specialty care for Veterans. Focusing on treating the whole Veteran through health promotion and disease prevention, the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System delivers comprehensive, seamless health care and social services for more than 112,000 Veterans at 18 locations across Northeast Ohio.  The Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System contributes to the future of medicine through education, training and research programs.  For more information visit www.cleveland.va.gov

Odell Vs Giants

Pay the Man!!!

 

Odell Beckham and his highlight catches scream out to the football know it faithful and the greater Giant fan base to just pay the man. He has consistently shown to be one of the if not the best in the game.

 

The flashes that make us go ooooooo or wooooowwwww really stand out. Some of the bad behavior on and off the field has done the same thing.

 

It makes you wonder why is he doing that? Why is he not practicing the control of his emotions like he has shown in controlling his body? That type of body control is world class and would be some of the best in any sport.

 

If he would get control of his emotions that would free the Giants up even more, thus opening the bank up for him without other concerns.

 

I would dare to say and speculate that we have only seen the highlights of the actions that have proven over time to be cancerous to many teams. I’m guessing that what we have seen is the tip of the iceberg.

 

No one knows you like your family. The Giants know Odell best.

 

Why else would the Giants coaches, GM, and ownership not make Odell one of the highest paid receivers in the game?

 

Eli has spoken about his actions. The head coach did as well and finally at the end of the season Jerry Reese, the GM stepped up and challenged Odell.

 

Many will say that they (Giants) are trying to speak negative about him to keep his money down. If so then they will suffer on a different level.

 

Instead of him staying away from the organization, perhaps he should get a Lords of London Insurance, which insures and covers possible injury, then go show the Giants that he has grown some. The Emotional Maturity that they seek from him on and off the field should be put on display.

 

That way, the trust he has earned in making plays, he can demonstrate that better judgment and growth while in house and with interactions with the players and coaches. Staying away may help, but having interface with the team and working to improve your craft may get him what he desires quicker.

 

From the Giants perspective, they can offer Odell a contact that is incentive laced in regards to the concerns they have, especially from a team building perspective. This is not their first rodeo with a problem player. (LT)

 

The best solution is to always operate from a team based perspective. What’s best for the team will be best for the individual.

 

I would love to see the Emotional Maturity be developed in a player as physically talented as Odell Beckham. Seeking to grow from his experiences has the potential to take him and his team to another level.

 

 

Steelers Antonio Browns and TEAM

Call me old school in regards to how I feel about the live feed that Antonio Brown posted after a hard fought and well earned team victory in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs. The TEAM was fresh off the field and in the sanctity of the locker room. It was before the media availability and before the normal routine of saying a team prayer and the head coach address to the team. NORMAL PROTOCOL.

Brown had other things on his mind.

From a purely personal standpoint, the video by Antonio Brown is quite entertaining and full of the type of energy that spawns virility.

From a team perspective it breaks a few basic rules.

  1. The sacredness of the locker room is something that should never be broken. It’s a place where some are not allowed and where events can happen that others only hear about. Team is family.
  2. Respect should be always given to the boss. Some of the players in the video were so busy not paying attention to what the HEAD COACH was saying, they never received the message regarding social media or never heard the comments regarding the Patriots.
  3. They never joined their teammates in the locker room after the game. It mattered not what everyone else was doing. It was all about the dough and the individual. Bad for the team!
  4. Believe it or not, this does serve as motivation to the team they are to face in the AFC Championship Game. It is said that they don’t need any more incentive because of the magnitude of the game. True, but when I was with the Redskins, we prepared to face the Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. THE BILLS DEFENSIVE LINE COACH DECIDED TO INSULT THE HOGS ON A NATION STAGE. After we watched that tape the night before the game, you could hear a pin drop when we left that meeting. The game was won when Coach Gibbs played that clip as the last part of that meeting. Yes, the Patriots are motivated but rest assured Bill Belichick will have it on the board and it may be the last thing they watch in the final meeting before the game.

Tomlin will be wise enough and is a good enough coach to capture this and turn it around. I feel he will not only discipline Antonio Brown, but some of the others that were being a little condescending and disrespectful as well.

The battle is on. This will be focused on for a while. Antonio may come out and apologize for his actions or he may not. I would suggest he does so and I hope he grows to really appreciate the value of the lesson he is being taught by the Steelers and Tomlin.

Browns Reason To Celebrate

Reason to Celebrate?

Victories are hard to come by in any sport. Anytime a team has crossed the threshold of winning, a different level of confidence is gained. It’s a minor miracle. In the NFL those victories are precious! Especially when you have lost 14 games in one season.
The Cleveland Browns won their first game in over a year. We were “Partying Like It was 1999.” (ok a Princeism) Hue Jackson said “Gameballs for everyone in the organization.” The celebration was on!

I wonder what will be painted on the game ball. “First victory of 2016 Browns” or “Whew! Off the snide 2016.”

I almost wanna say “Really?! We/the Browns are celebrating one win?! Well hell Yes! It was a hell of a long ride baby. You could see the relief come out of First Energy Stadium!

The loyal long suffering Browns fans endured this heartache with dignity. Even Dee and Jim Haslam showed their relief and excitement after the final kick was missed by the Chargers.

Yes, we loved the team and the game they played even after each of the losses while subconsciously trying to figure out, “What the hell is going on out there?!”(Lombardi)

While there is hope that all has been figured out and the staff, players and coaches have chosen the right rudder to right the ship, the reality is that it’s going to take more to get all rowers rowing the ship in the direction of winning.

It takes a hell of a lot to lose 14 straight. It takes a hell of a lot to win one. It’s going to take a hell of a lot more directional development and determination to be a true winner.

One win leads to two then leads to three. Celebrate each victory that is gained… They are precious. Continue to develop and expect winning while understanding the foundation that will manifest the future outcomes.

For The Love Of The Game

 

 

 

One Win Makes Browns Winners? Not So fast

The Browns are 1-14 at this point. They have lost a staggering amount of games over the last 3 years. Buuuuutttt… Now they have earned a win. The hearts are a little lighter, the step has a little more pep and the water coolers have changed from alcohol back to water.

Prior to the victory, it has been almost, for some, down right heart breaking and depressing. Because of their lack of winning, are they characterized as a bunch of losers? Well duhh… No!

Can I reference the losing that occurred when I was in high school and the mentality associated with it? We lost a bunch of games. But, for some reason I never saw myself, my teammates or Baldwin High School as losers. Was it because we lost so much that we didn’t concern ourselves with placing a label on it. Thinking back, I don’t think that was part of it.

Being result oriented wasn’t something that was preached or coached. The daily task was the focus. School, weight room, practice, and games were the focus. Working hard and getting each job done was the focus. The results were just that. Results.

To me, losing doesn’t make you a loser. It’s the approach to losing that shapes who you are. The acts around losing are what make people losers. If you don’t receive instructions, corrections or resist being coached all together – loser! If you talk back to the people that are trying to help you or talk while they are trying to lead a meeting – loser2! If you think you know better than the people in charge – loser3. A bad mentality overall is a losing mentality –loser4

How do you react to being stoned by the local and national press? Going into preparation for the next game. How do you get yourself ready? If you are concerned about losing or what may be said about you, then change your approach to what you do. The characterization will change.

Even if you are losing, still give your absolute best to focus on the desire to be successful. Even if the scoreboard doesn’t show winning, you can still approach what you do and live in a winning way.

Winners learn, grow then teach. Winners for the most part are humble. Winners do their best to do the right thing. Winners always look to grow.

By loving, I mean truly loving, what you do the outcome-oriented perspective can be altered. Don’t get me wrong; the outcome of races, games or business is critical. Just don’t let the characterization get in the way of progress. Whether you win or lose.

One win does not make one a winner overall, but it sure makes the review of the game much more palatable. The overall drive to be a winner or to win should still be the same. It is a madnening process for sure.

 

For the love of the game.

Browns and Developing Winners

Will To Win

Crying incessantly in my way home after losing another game at Bonnor Park in Milledgeville Georgia. It’s another still but crisp evening and the stars are out while a traverse the grounds in the west end of my home town. Tears are streaming down my face because our team has lost another game. Why was I crying after a football game, you might ask? My answer would have been, “we lost.”

Early in my life, I hated losing! It never deterred me. I loved to play games. I hated losing. Why not just give up… Stop playing the games… Well, I never thought of quitting or to not play marbles, chess, tennis, shooting pool or any other sport. I played and played hard all the time. Sometimes, I would be playing and crying while I was playing because one of the bigger players had hurt me… Never stopped… Never gave in..: it was all part of the action.

Fast forward to Baldwin High school where I played basketball, ran track and played football. Yeah you guess it… We lost bunches and bunches of games. SHIGGADDEE! We lost homecoming most of the time.

Even though we were losing, we never stopped working at development… Those situations taught me how to continue to work to get better, to always do my best and how to never let the score or short term results dictate how I approached each play and each game.

The will can be broken in some because of the losses. It also cave strengthened if the right approach, perspective and awareness is given.

The Browns are 0-14… Wow!!! What an athletic wake up call the entire organization is going through.

Their collective will has to be really strong to endure the experiences.

For those that will continue with the team next year, the Never stopped… Never give in I mentioned earlier will manifest itself at a later time. Especially, if they are going home lamenting the losses.

When you love it… When you love yourself, Winning is not far away. It always finds it way to victories… Whether in real time or at a later point in the pursuit of success.

#FORTHELOVEOFTHEGAME

RG3 VS ROMO’S PLIGHT

ROMO: After all, they were depending on you to bring them a championship – that’s what quarterbacks are supposed to do, that’s how we’re judged. But then here you are, sidelined without any real ability to help your teammates win on the field. That’s when you’re forced to come face to face with what’s happening. The realization of a NFL career being over…

RG3…His NFL career and the possibility of it being over has hopefully prompted a renewed or new perspective on playing the game. It did for Romo. RG3 is younger but has missed substantial time due to injury, just as Romo. He has to be concerned about the opportunities perhaps dwindling for him right before his and our eyes.

I wonder did he take some time to do some soul searching and come “face to face with what’s happening” like Tony Romo mentioned. My hope is that that time served to motivate him into being the player his talent warrants.

Does he really want to take the punishment it will take to play at a championship level? Has he had enough… I mean way down deep in his spirit..? Only he really knows.

Good soul searching and mind building can be gone through during the time an injury has been taken away the game from a player like RG3. It can be the motivation to rededicate or give into the inevitable end of a playing career and the beginning of another aspect of life.

Comparison of the thoughts between the two… Romo’s experience was a soul searching one… He developed in some ways, perhaps spiritually and or mentally… During his speech, you could feel his level of thought and perception.

Has this time on injuried reserve served as a realization and appreciation of a career been an awaking for RG3? What has been his emotinal struggle, if any? Has his spirit been touched in a way that really changes him? It will be shown in how he approaches his chosen craft.

The true winner’s mentality was shown in the speech that Romo gave. The winner’s mentality can be shown by RG3. Look for it in his next opportunity as a Browns QB.

ROMO: Lastly, I just want to leave you with something I’ve learned in this process. You know, I feel like we have two battles or two enemies going on: One with the man across from you, the second is with the man inside of you. I think once you control the one inside of you, the one across from you really doesn’t matter. I think that’s what we’re all trying to do.”

#FORTHELOVEOFTHEGAME

Romo… Diary of Aging Players

Romo… Diary of Aging Players

ROMO: “I’m not gonna allow this situation to negatively affect Dak or this football team by becoming a constant distraction. Ultimately it’s about the team – it’s what we’ve preached our entire lives.”

EB: The best way to deal with this situation, positively,…especially when the realization is that someone else…a younger player, is doing the job, is to teach the player that is playing. It helps by taking the emphaisis off of the situation you are in and focuses on something that builds the team. The teaching part also keeps the mind prepared for playing. Most of the time what looks final isn’t final, especially when the season is continuing.

The time for finality is for the off season. Decisions will be made in that regard then. Fears and thoughts that the career may be over may be stayed off for another season, but the end is coming. It’s a young man’s game.  (Players that play for extended periods and are still good all feel this way). It’s tough to see someone else do what you feel and know you can do. But, there is a realization, as well, that it’s really best for the team.

ROMO:”I think Dak knows that I have his back, and I think I know that he has mine.”

EB: Having each others back started in the off season. Even when Romo realized how good Dak was and that he is motivation to me and a treat to be a starter in the league, they worked closely together. Romo helped coach him even then. It’s a natural and important trait to have when you got people and natural leaders on your team that are winners in every way.

ROMO: “To say the first half of the season has been emotional would be a huge understatement. Getting hurt when you feel like you have the best team you ever have was a soul-crushing moment for me. Then to learn it’s not three or four weeks but 10 is another blow. And through it all you have a tremendous amount of guilt about letting your teammates, fans and organization down.”

EB: Part of the guilt for me was I knew I could not do what I was expected to and use to doing. The coaches seemed like that couldn’t or wouldn’t talk to me. It felt strange. It was like if you can’t help me or be on the field, you have leposy. Perhaps that was part of the mind game they played or it could have been as Tony said. “The coaches have to keep coaching.”

When I became a coach, if a player of mine got hurt, I would always find him in the training room and spend some time with him. It was important to me to let them know they were more than a football player or piece of meat to me.

ROMO: After all, they were depending on you to bring them a championship – that’s what quarterbacks are supposed to do, that’s how we’re judged. But then here you are, sidelined without any real ability to help your teammates win on the field. That’s when you’re forced to come face to face with what’s happening.

EB: While facing that reality, the fire still burns. It’s tough to look at the guy playing “your” position without saying or thinking that I would have done better. That’s the driving force of a player. I’m the best for the position. Frustration, anger and fear all surface. I used that energy to my benefit by doing extra running, stairmaster and hill work. It became my motivation.

I also had to do some reflecting. How did I allow this situation to be manifested? What was my contribution to where I am today. It made me really look at my life of football. Check out the next sentence.

ROMO:”You’re sad and down and out, and you ask yourself, “Why did this have to happen?”

EB: ROMO HAD SOME TIME TO REALLY REFLECT. (Awesome Tool…is Reflection)

ROMO: “It’s not always easy to watch. I think anybody who’s been in this position understands that. But what is clear is that I was that kid once: stepping in, having to prove yourself – I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. It really is an incredible time in your life. If I remember one thing from back then, it’s the people that helped me along when I was young.”

EB: Part of the process of winning is having those that are all about the team. They pass on the knowledge to those that come behind them. They even pass it on when someone may be a threat to “their” job because it’s best for the team. It is, as I see it, a responsibility of each position. Winning is the most important.

ROMO: “For every high school kid out there or college player, there’s greatness in being the kind of teammate who truly wants to be part of the team. Everyone wants to be the reason they’re winning or losing. Every single one of us wants to be that person. But there are special moments that come from a shared commitment, to play a role while doing it together.”

EB: This a quality of a true winner. He is to be admired as we watch him walk this part of the journey out. There will be moments of selfishness without a doubt. He will continue to want to play and have half hearted happiness for Dak and the team but will also have a real life growth process and a moment he can teach from for a lifetime. “Perfection Sought, Progress Accepted”

ROMO: “I’ve figured that you in this process. It’s what separates sports from everything else. It’s why we love it, why we trust it, it’s why I still want to play and compete.”

Lastly, I just want to leave you with something I’ve learned in this process. You know, I feel like we have two battles or two enemies going on: One with the man across from you, the second is with the man inside of you. I think once you control the one inside of you, the one across from you really doesn’t matter. I think that’s what we’re all trying to do.”

EB: The ultimate winner does the winning inside then has the ability to teach others how to win.

#Agapelove

Understanding of Influence

What a gift to have and a gift not to be taken lightly.. The ability to guide and influence people. We are given this magnificent ability to build, heal and teach those through different mediums. Football happens to be the one I am availed.

I was listening to music in a club, but watching the way the DJ sent out the vibrations that controlled the crowd. I could feel the vibrations and watched as the crowd was driven into a frenzy. Then all of a sudden, the vibrations of the music slowed…the crow responded by moving slowly in their dance, all the while not conscience of the control they have relenquished to an outer source. Some dapped off of the floor chosing not to partake. Hmmm…

It made me think about concerts and sporting events that fill many stadiums around the world. A singer has the ability to use their voice, a band can use their music and an athlete can use his abilities on the field of play to draw different emotions out of the fans.

While at the club, I could visualize the many emotions that can be tapped into by being associated with the chosen method of getting inside to the inner being and really finding out about myself. It altered the way I saw clubs, concerts and sporting events because of the different levels of feelings and emotions that I experienced.

The crowd rises and falls with the energy associated with victories and losses on each play, each octave or each word uttered. A theater, a coliseum, a ballpark and even a classroom has the ability to have it’s energy affected by players, performers, teachers and leaders.

How does it feel to have that ability to influence or control the crowd or to have the ability to heal the crowd. That is really powerful!!! They move as you move. Every emotion is shared. They move with the rythym that is created within the performer.

Have courage and trust in the inner spirit or inner wo/man because doubt, fear and or uncertainty will surface. Believe that you have been gifted the understanding and mentality to benifit from the experience but more important, share the gift. Victory or a loss on a multitude of levels is on the line.

When we win on the inner man level, the most healing is available. Victory on and off the stage or field is available.

What a tremendous responsibility and honor to have. It’s a thrill to fight for and deliver healing to those that are receptive. We are constanly recieving the blame for losses and given adulation when success is attained. Both blame and adulation are healing agents.

My plight, my growth, my life and my spirit may be a great many things, but failure is not one. The trial by life and the trial by God is provided through the experiences. I must not be moved from where the Spirit places me. My happiness is not a necessity for me to live and be at peace.

Practice as much control over your decisions and experiences. Do it as much as you can. Nothing or noone is perfect. There may be some aspects of perfection that lie within each of us. Use the energies of life to control as much as you can while you realize that sometimes in our lives we will be controlled by other forces.