Does anyone represent themselves anymore?

by John Boy on Jul 24, 2008 12:47 PM CDT

Anyone happen to know if there are any players/coaches in the NFL who actually represent themselves? I remember a story told by Jerry Kramer in his book about the Packers '67 season where a few years before, '64 I believe, their center Jim Ringo went in to see Lombardi and negotiate a new contract and he brought along a guy to represent him in the negotiations. Apparently Ringo was one of the first to hire an agent, everyone represented themselves in those days. Lombardi excused himself for a few minutes and then came back in and said that they were in the wrong place and talking to the wrong guy because Ringo had just been traded to Cleveland!!!

Times have changed, to the detriment in my opinion.

John Boy

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Some of these contracts are very complicated

And alot of these players aren’t business men, so I think it’s a good thing to have an agent who is looking out for a player, who knows these contracts inside out. If you want to bring up the role of agents, I think more things need to be done to screen some of them as there is a few of bad agents out there too. If you dont have an agent then you might get sucked into a deal that’s not in your best interest.

by Deke on Jul 24, 2008 12:54 PM CDT reply reply 0 recs

Keyshawn Johnson

always represented himself. I am trying to think of some more because I know there are about 20 or so guys who do. Matt Birk from the Vikings I think.

by Impatient on Jul 24, 2008 1:29 PM CDT reply reply 0 recs

unless you're an attoreny

who has knowledge of contract law, representing yourself as a player would be extremely foolish.

I believe it was Winston Churchill who said that only fools represent themselves.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 24, 2008 2:39 PM CDT reply reply 0 recs

I would expect to hear that from an attorney

;-)

by Impatient on Jul 24, 2008 2:46 PM CDT up reply reply 0 recs

I think Daunte Cullpepper is his own agent also.

;)

by rdnk71 on Jul 24, 2008 3:05 PM CDT reply reply 0 recs

maybe thats why he's still unemployed

haha j/k

by Impatient on Jul 24, 2008 5:05 PM CDT up reply reply 0 recs

seriously

Why is he still unemployed, there are some horrible back-up out there.. .

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Jul 24, 2008 6:39 PM CDT up reply reply 0 recs

Because he wants starter money long term

and he will end up being a back up with a suspect knee and bad performances the last two places he’s been. He needs to take a page from Andre Gurode, Tony Romo and Ken Hamlin. Take a one year veteran minimum contract and play his way into the big bucks, Otherwise the only pine he’ll be riding is lining the deck of the love boat.

by Impatient on Jul 24, 2008 7:29 PM CDT up reply reply 0 recs

Staubach represented himself

It was a different era. Roger was a smart man but wasn’t in football for the money. He was one of, if not the most valuable player in the NFL, yet in his book he describes how Tex Schramm called him into the office once to remind him that it was time to renegotiate his contract. It was done in a few minutes, and the Cowboys took care of Roger, but probably not nearly as well as if Roger had a hard-nosed negotiator representing him.

Terry’s quote is a good one. I don’t think Churchill said it, but the complete saying, as I have heard it, is, “A man who represents himself has a fool for a client and a fool for a lawyer. “

by rrb on Jul 25, 2008 7:48 AM CDT reply reply 0 recs

I think the NFL salary rules are just too complex

I have heard of players in other sports with guaranteed contracts representing themselves, but I think there are too many pitfalls for NFL players that they need someone who fully understands the offer to explain the risks to them (i.e. when will the team cut you based on the way your contract is structured).

by grapejoos on Jul 25, 2008 11:09 AM CDT reply reply 0 recs