Managing the Ripples in a Crisis by MWPR, Inc.

Just like when a pebble thrown in a pond creates ripples, within any major crisis there is a ripple affect. There is more than one area of focus and more than one area needing a #strategic plan to address the impact the major #crisis created.

Regardless if the main headline is involving a person, political figure, product, property or performance, more times than not, there are layers to the crisis and they are guaranteed to impact a multitude of areas, associations and affiliations. The ripple affects will also need to be addressed. 

Ok, the crisis hits! The primary target has responded and is managing their story in an effort to lessen the blow and restore trust. 

But, what about the ripples, those who are directly or indirectly impacted by the primary's crisis? Directly or indirectly, each ripple created by the primary (pebble) requires special attention, strategic action, specific answers and subsequent adjustments so they are able to eventual move pass the crisis and prepare for future progress and productivity.

Special Attention:

When the crisis creates the ripples, pay close attention to the initial reports, details and responses given through the media and through the primary target. Listening and learning what has happened and what is being said will help in creating a specific strategic plan directly speaks to your need and position.

Strategic Action:

Based on what has been learned through paying special attention and determining if the primary hit directly or indirectly impacted you, a plan of action must be created that will help draw a distinction between the primary hit and you, the ripple, while also restoring confidence within your immediate and extended touch points (constituents and audiences).

Specific Answers:

Here is where you unpack your story, clear up confusion related to your connection to the primary hit and provide space for questions to be asked and answered, portraying a level of transparency and trust.

Subsequent Adjustments:

Within the management of the ripple affect from another's crisis, due diligence is needed in determining what can be learned by what the primary hit went through. Also, an assessment for areas of weakness, vulnerability, flaws and blind spots that could one day take you from being the ripple to being the primary is needed. 

The best way to prepare for any crisis is to be prepared before the crisis. You don't have to always learn a lesson firsthand. Take the lesson another's mistake creates and adjust accordingly. Go through scenarios identifying possible crises that could occur, or pay attention to your competition, partners, industry leaders, etc. and learn from their past problems. Remember, there is no such thing as a cookie-cutter template crisis plan. So, once you've gathered your research, create an overall crisis plan that speaks to your needs and feel somewhat confident that if/when the time comes you will be ready to stop, drop and roll with the punch.

The bottom-line is no major crisis is a one off. It will create ripples. Having a direct or indirect association with the primary hit calls for you to take the necessary steps to correct and protect your brand, message or business.

#MWPRTips

Panthers cut WR Dwayne Jarrett after second drunken driving arrest - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com

Okay, I am so sorry that Dwayne Jarrett was released today by the Panthers. The 23 year old looked to have a promising career....and, he still might. But, right now as I type he is unemployed. The question is, "should he be?" The answer is, "no, he should not be."

As I have stated in previous posts, although an athlete has talent and money, they still do not possess maturity, common sense or life experience. Their life since Pop Warner has been sports...period. And, their life after being drafted is sports. They have not had a chance to live, grow, make mistakes, process....all the basic things teenagers and young adults are able to do in the world. So, when they enter the ADULT world of sports, the expectation that is placed on them is unfair.

When their parents hand them over to their sports agents there should be an understanding that the sports agents don't just help brocker the best financial deal for them with the best team. The sports agent must now take on the responsibility of mentoring, monitoring and managing the off-the-field behavior of the athlete.

Sports agents need to mentor their clients; guide them through all things that come with taking on this adult responsibility called "Pro Athlete". Sports agents need to monitor their clients; make sure they are acting responsible and being a good steward over all they have. And, sports agents need to manage their clients. Now, the latter is done to a degree, but not completely. In managing your client you are bringing in the RIGHT people to help ensure the client's brand is not just secured, but enhanced and ever evolving. All of this helps the sports agent at the negotiating table walk away with more money.

But, what happens more than not is they see the athletes as a check...period. There is no concern or little concern of the athlete's well-being...no proactive action taken to ensure that, if nothing else, their check is safe and a constant, by putting in place the right elements to guarantee success.

So, today, I would like to ask the question, when will a portion of the blame for the missteps of these young athletes begin to be placed on the sports agents? When will they be held responsible for some of the drama that seems to be getting worse within professional athletes' off-the-field/court actions?

These KIDS need help. They do not need someone else in their pockets and being a "yes person". Rather, they need someone who will give them sound advice, direction, assistance and support.

Am I alone in this form of thinking or what?

Panthers cut WR Dwayne Jarrett after second drunken driving arrest - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com

Almost 80 Percent of NFL Players Nearly Bankrupt, 60 Percent of NBA Ballers? Why?

The Playbook Commentary:
This piece speaks directly to why MWPR created The Playbook: Mentoring Initiative. The objective is to put a stop to this sad cycle of talented athletes living post-professional lives as bad off as they were before they inked their first professional deal.

Bishop Jakes stated in a sermon entitled, "Rags to Riches", that sometimes our gifts take us to places we are not properly equipped to handle. This is most realized in the world of professional sports. Young-gifted student athletes are dropped into the adult world of professional sports because of their talent way before they are mentally prepared to handle the responsibilities that come along with the opportunity. And, no one is taking the time to educate them through the process because everyone is out for what they can gain immediately from the opportunity. There is no long-term thinking, just right now gratification. When will this ugly cycle end?

As I have said before student-athletes are being pimped (by parents, friends, coaches, schools, agents, advertisers, media, professional organizations, etc.), not nurtured. And, we as a society need to become better stewards over the our future leaders, influencers, heads of households, decision-makers, etc. or we are in for a scary new reality. The cycle must be broken.

Almost 80 Percent of NFL Players Nearly Bankrupt, 60 Percent of NBA Ballers? Why?
Source: RO/rollingout.com

The fact that most professional athletes from the three major sports become completely broke and deep in debt after retirement continues to confound the public and sports pundits alike.

It's not like today's players aren’t aware of the many horror stories of players of yesteryear who, because of their lack of job skills, injuries and bad financial dealings, become nearly destitute. Yet, nearly 80 percent of players in the National Football League are hovering near or are in bankruptcy just two years after retiring from the game. And in the NBA, 60 percent of its players are broke within five years of retirement.

Sports Illustrated contributes the financial decline to several key factors: ignorance of business, which leads to faulty investments; conspicuous consumption during their playing days that continues after their playing days are over; divorces, which forces them to pay out exorbitant child support and alimony payments while no longer making the same money; and poor financial planning — or better yet, no financial planning — which prevents them from instituting some reasonable budgetary constraints on themselves and their inner circle, particularly their spouses.

Here are some of the most notable cases of financial blunders in recent years:

Latrell "I can't Feed My Family" Sprewell: NBA fans will never, ever forget how a washed-up, past his prime Latrell Sprewell turned his nose up at a $21 million contract because he said it was hardly enough money to "feed [his] family.” It would’ve come in handy today, because of all of the $96 million Sprewell made during his career, he has none of it left. He also lost his $1.5 million dollar Italian yacht, named "Milwaukee’s Best," in 2007. His $5.4 million house went into foreclosure in May 2008.

Scottie Pippen: Former Chicago Bulls star and Michael Jordan's famous on-court partner, Scottie Pippen lost $120 million in career earnings due to poor financial planning and bad business ideas. Arguably the greatest and most-well known sidekick in NBA history blew $27 million on bad investments and spent $4.3 million on a Gulfstream II corporate jet. He does have six NBA title rings though.

Evander Holyfield: This heavyweight could be sued for false advertising. That's because the four-time boxing champ, known as "The Real Deal,” apparently never knew how to actually make a deal. He reportedly made over $250 million in cash during his boxing career, yet he’s flat broke--and missing a chunk of his ear. Usually, buying a home is one of the smartest investments. But Holyfield bought a $20 million house with over 54,000 square feet and 109 rooms. The house has 11 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, a movie theater, a bowling alley and an Olympic-size swimming pool. And let's not even mention all those child support payments.

Mike Tyson: Despite his career catastrophes, “Iron Mike” remains an immensely popular personality. At his apex, Tyson had $400 million. He dropped half a million dollars on a 420-horsepower Bentley Continental SC with lamb’s wool rugs, a phone and a removable glass roof. It’s one of only 73 Bentley Continental SCs ever built. He spent over $4.5 million on cars alone. Throw in a $2 million bathtub and $140,000 for two Bengal tigers and you can see why Tyson’s fortune is down for the count. –terry shropshire

Stern suspends Arenas indefinitely

NBA Commissioner David Stern on Wednesday suspended Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas indefinitely, calling the three-time all-star "not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game." Arenas admitted to bringing four unloaded guns to Verizon Center, which violates D.C. gun laws and league rules that prohibit weapons in NBA facilities.

In a scathing statement, Stern condemned Arenas's behavior after it was revealed that he got into a dispute with teammate Javaris Crittenton involving guns.

"The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action. Wizards personnel continue to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities, some are scheduled for appearance before the grand jury and the investigation is proceeding with the intensity that one would expect for such a serious incident."

"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

The Wizards supported the decision in a statement in which the team criticized Arenas's behavior and that of his teammates before playing the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. As the team prepared for the game, the players circled Arenas, who formed his fingers into pretend guns and acted as if he were shooting his teammates. His teammates laughed.

"We fully endorse the decision of the NBA to indefinitely suspend Gilbert Arenas. Strictly legal issues aside, Gilbert's recent behavior and statements, including his actions and statements last night in Philadelphia, are unacceptable," the statement read. "Some of our other players appeared to find Gilbert's behavior in Philadelphia amusing. This is also unacceptable. Under Abe Pollin's leadership, our organization never tolerated such behavior, and we have no intention of ever doing so."

Source: The Washington Post By Michael Lee January 6, 2010; 4:45 PM ET

The Playbook Commentary: The State of Professional Athletes

It has been a minute since I posted The Playbook Commentary. I don't know if it's because the PR biz has had me busy, as much as it seems like the state of pro athletes and sports in general has been non-stop crazy....too much to talk about.

But, with the recent incident with Gilbert Arenas, I HAD to come back on the scene and say something.

I read somewhere the comment that Arenas has "shot himself in the foot". And, I have to agree. It is amazing that after being in the NBA for as long as he has now, Arenas has not heeded the warnings offered up by the unfortunate incidents experienced and lessons learned from his fellow colleagues in the NBA and professional sports all together.

Come on man, guns in the locker room? Yes, you are a target, so to speak. And, I can understand you feeling like you have to protect yourself from the crazies out there who will try you. But, that's why you pay the big bucks to get personal bodyguards and should depend on the NBA team security to watch your back. However, IF you still believe you need to protect yourself....you DON'T pull the weapon out on a fellow colleague in the locker room. Come on.

As my pastor in Baltimore has said over the years, "Commonsense is not common to everyone." CLEARLY!

Although, I place some ownership of blame on Arenas and other players for the actions they take, I really place blame on the organizations they represent. If they would take their attention off of milking these players for the immediate monetary gain, they would be able to see that a serious issue exists that needs to be addressed now, before this small hole becomes a bottomless pit. Think strategically. Think proactively. Think productively....today. And, tomorrow will take care of itself.

We continue to live in a reactionary state. No one plans for tomorrow, they just allow tomorrow to control their next move.....not good. As owner of a PR firm that specializes in crisis/reputation management, I have been very busy as of late. Not a good thing for the clients, but I can't complain as the recipient. The first thing I have shared with each client and in each situation is its time out for reactionary living and time for proactive living.

What are your long-term goals? How do you plan on achieving them? What will you do today to start? If you are focused on your long-term goals, you will find it hard to get into short-term trouble. I say that because you will take a second pause before you make a move that is more reactionary in nature than proactive and productive.

But, because life does happen and we are all human, when or if you should ever find yourself in a "crisis" two things can save you. First, your previous proactive actions will serve as your brand foundation; it will cushion the negative blow. Let me give you an example. I use to work for an international PR firm as AGS on the world's most recognized consumer brand. This brand was big on "giving back". They were in the communities in which they did business. And, because of the sincere relationships established, they built brand loyalty. So, if and when, because life does happen, a bad thing would occur, it never turned into a major blow for them. The community never turned their back on them. Why? Because the foundation had been formed.

That is being PROactive in a reactionary world. They have always focused on their long-term goals, "giving back"; making a positive impact; affording opportunities; building their business; generating revenue; etc. So, even when short-term trouble comes up, it doesn't break their brand...just slightly and temporarily tarnishes it.

Can we say the same for folks like Arenas, Tiger and others? First, their brand foundation is not solid. Then on top of it, their arrogance, ignorance and poor advisory causes their reaction to be inadequate, ineffective and even damaging.

I am all about "doing you". It is your life, lead it the way you so choose. However, to be clear, when you are a professional athlete, your five senses, discerning spirit, inner circle and bottomline COMMON sense all need to be sharper than the regular person.

It's time to teach the next generation of "aspiring" professional athletes that you cannot have it both ways....have all the glory, attention and fame of a celebrity but, still believ you can and should be able to act like Joe Blow common man whose business will be less likely to make the morning news. That is not reality.

There is a responsibility that comes with your opportunity.

The Playbook: Mentoring Initiative continues to bring productive, positive, purpose-driven, proactive solutions to the real-life needs that occur in the natural life-cycle of an athlete..."a positive personal life = professional success".

We officially introduced it in 2009 at retired NFL Player Keion Carpenter and Pro Bowler Antonio Freeman's C4C Football Camp in Maryland. 2010 we are taking it to the next level....it is time.

Stay tuned for The Playbook: Mentoring Initiative Blog, Curriculum and Schedule.

It's time for PROactive living in 2010!

The Playbook Case Study:Miami Dolphins player arrested in Freightliner truck incident - CNN.com

The Playbook Commentary:

It has been a minute since I have had a commentary on any player's misconduct. Truthfully, its because I felt like I was sounding like a broken record. And, then there was "seemingly" a lull in the missteps.

Now, I will say that on FB and Twitter, I have given my two cents on the hypocritical comments folks have made concerning Vick since he has been released. Net/net on that is...how dare anyone say that he doesn't deserve forgiveness or deserve to play football again. "Don't cast a stone, if you are not ready to receive one back." He made a horrendous mistake...poor judgement and paid for it, royally. To say he is not forgiven is to say his life might as well be over. And, what does that say about rehibilitation? What does that say to ANYONE who has made a mistake in life? Give, what you want to get.

Now, to this story...Randy Starks is an idiot. Period. There are mistakes and then there are mistakes. I want to say that this was common sense. But, as my pastor often says, "common sense is not common to everyone." OBVIOUSLY!

You load up a truck with 10 folks more than it is built for; drive with someone ON your lap; and, apparently, you drive it without legal tags. What is that about? Where is his agent? Who has his back? I know, all the things I have been saying all along. But, it is true. At least your "friends" should have your best interests at heart; even if it's for selfish reasons, like enjoying the constant hook up and benefits of being a part of the "lifestyle". Well, if you go along with the crazy ride and your boy gets in stupid trouble....your "lifestlye" is instantly over.

Come on people. Work with me. We all make mistakes...Lord knows I have, but when do we stop making the out this world ones?

Ask yourself the million dollar question, "Was it worth it?"

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was arrested early Sunday after police said he struck an officer with a slow-moving Freightliner truck, according to a police report.

Starks, 25, faces a charge of aggravated battery, according to the report.The arrest took place about 12:20 a.m. in Miami's South Beach area. Officers said they saw the Freightliner truck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on South Beach's Ocean Drive with some 13 people inside, including a woman sitting on the lap of Starks, who was driving.

The truck's seating capacity is four occupants, the police report said. It was not clear from the police report whether the Freightliner -- normally part of a tractor-trailer -- was connected to a trailer.

In the report, the officer recalled pursuing the truck on foot for about a half-block and pounding on the rear driver's-side window, but it kept moving. The officer caught up to the truck again, and it stopped after the officer pounded on the window again, the report said.

"I slowly approached the side door and just as I reached it the vehicle accelerated and started moving forward and slightly to the left," the unidentified officer writes in the report. "The vehicle's path caused the driver's side of the vehicle to strike me in the chest pushing me back and pinning me against a vehicle stopped in traffic in the northbound lane."

Meanwhile, a second officer was pounding on the passenger's-side window, the report said. The truck stopped and Starks was arrested.

A police check showed that the truck's license plate was not assigned to that vehicle, the report said, and Starks faces a charge for that as well.

Starks was released from jail later Sunday, according to a records check. The Miami Herald newspaper reported earlier he was jailed on $10,000 bond.

Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene told CNN the club was "only recently made aware of the situation. Since we are in the process of gathering information we have no comment."

Starks is in his sixth NFL season and his second with the Dolphins.

Miami Dolphins player arrested in Freightliner truck incident - CNN.com

The PB Case Study: Report: Celtics guard Gabe Pruitt arrested for DUI - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

The PB Commentary:

A few brands are negatively affected in this piece, the Celtics, Pruitt's and Marbury's. Now, it makes sense why the first two have some PR clean up to do. But, how did Marbury's get caught up in it? The obvious....his brand has issues of its own. Connecting his brand to the Celtics' brand doesn't help him, at least initially, as much as it might hurt theirs...at least initially. But, the jury is still out.

As for Pruitt. Why wasn't someone driving for him? If he is from the area, I know he had friends who could have and should have taken the wheel. Your circle needs to consist of responsible folks who have your back, especially since you have a "celebrity" status to maintain and a responsibility of representing the Celtics. Come on already!

Source: YAHOO! Sports

Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:15 am EST
Report: Celtics guard Gabe Pruitt arrested for DUI
By J.E. Skeets

Well, this is unfortunate.

Boston Celtics guard Gabe Pruitt (pictured right, driving to the net, sober) was arrested Thursday morning in California on suspicion of operating a car under the influence, according to that pesky little website TMZ.com.

Pruitt was pulled over around 3:15 AM in the Hollywood area. Sources tell TMZ Pruitt failed a field sobriety test and had a blood alcohol level well over the legal limit.

He was taken to a local jail and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence. His bail was $5,000.
The 22-year-old Pruitt scored three points in five minutes of the Celtics' 93-91 loss to the Clippers before (apparently) hitting the bottle with friends. He is from the Los Angeles area and played college ball at the University of Southern California.

So to recap: Stephon Marbury says he'll sign the vet's minimum with Boston, Paul Pierce dislocates his thumb, twice, the Celtics lose to one of the worst teams in the league and their back-up guard gets busted for a DUI — all in the span of, what, 24, 48 hours?
Marbury is incredible. He's like the anti-rabbit's foot.

(via CelticsBlog)

Report: Celtics guard Gabe Pruitt arrested for DUI - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

MWPRINCight: NAACP head wants N.Y. Post editor, cartoonist axed

MWPRINCight Comments can also be found in the USA Today article.

Comment 1:
My issue with their apology is that it was not sincere. It was more an act to eliminate the headache they created. And, my concern with the NAACP, Sharpton and others is that they might mismanage the opportunity by just demanding folks loose their jobs, that makes them instant "stars"....they will find another gig, i.e. Don Imus. The opportunity I refer to is that of "REAL" talk about race. Bump the sensitivity training...folks at the NY Post and elsewhere need to really get an understanding of where those who were offended, mainly African Americans are coming from. That is IF they care to. And, we, African Americans need to open our minds to the thought of educating those who don't have a clue. Now, once they have a clue, if they choose to continue to be insensitive, than they must go. And, do be clear, I am trying to give the editor-in-chief and cartoonist the benefit of the doubt.....but, its hard.

Comment 2:
Now, after scrolling down and reading some of the other comments, it I am officially afraid. There is hatred and ignorance within the comments on this topic and that shows that folks just don't care to heal. The NAACP was created BECAUSE African Americans (or as we were refere to 100 years ago, "colored" had no voice in education, social, political or civic rights). So, we took the word that was given us and used it for our power. As for the references to "BOY"...that right there shows that you know what you are doing and saying. There is no ignorance here, there is just plain old hurt and meanness. God help us all.


NAACP head wants N.Y. Post editor, cartoonist

NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the NAACP on Saturday urged readers to boycott the New York Post, calling a cartoon that the newspaper published an invitation to assassinate President Obama.

Benjamin Todd Jealous, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, called on the tabloid to remove editor-in-chief Col Allan, as well as longtime cartoonist Sean Delonas.

APOLOGY: 'N.Y. Post' editorial addresses cartoon
CARTOON: 'N.Y. Post' depiction of dead chimpanzee stirs outrage

Earlier this week, the newspaper apologized to anyone who might have been offended by the image printed Wednesday, which some say likens Obama to a violent chimpanzee gunned down by police in Connecticut.

Jealous said the cartoon was "an invitation to assassination."

On Thursday, after protests by notable figures including director Spike Lee, the paper posted an editorial on its website saying the cartoon was meant to mock the federal economic stimulus bill, but "to those who were offended by the image, we apologize."

A spokeswoman for the newspaper referred the Associated Press to the paper's editorial when asked Saturday about the proposed NAACP boycott.

Jealous called the editorial "a half of an apology, without elaboration."

The drawing, he said, "picks off the scabs of all the racial wounds."

He spoke as the NAACP gathered for its annual meeting in New York, where it was founded a century ago.

NAACP officials said that if the Post does not take "serious disciplinary action," they would reach out to organizations across the country to join them in their efforts against the tabloid.

NAACP Chairman Julian Bond called the publication of the cartoon "thoughtlessness taken to the extreme. ... Anyone who is not offended by it does not have any sensitivity."

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Playbook Case Study: Jock Sanders of West Virginia arrested on drunken driving charge - ESPN

How did this happen? Why did this happen? This is his second arrest in a year for Sanders. After the first, more restrictions should have been placed on him. Where were his friends, teammates, anyone? Under age drinking is part of the college experience however, when you are an athlete a higher level of expectation should be placed on them.

Student-athletes often do not realize that THEY are their brand. A player's off-the-field/court actions can either help them or hurt them in obtaining their future athletic goals. It doesn't matter if a player successfully scored every time they have the ball on Saturday, if by Tuesday they have done or said something negatively, the potential to instantly wipe out the on-the-field/court success is there. It can take center stage and possibly even destroy their future before it begins.

I am now officially a broken record. Ha!

To learn more about The Playbook: Mentoring Initiative email theplaybook@mwprinc.com.

Jock Sanders of West Virginia arrested on drunken driving charge - ESPN:

"West Virginia receiver/running back Jock Sanders could be facing suspension or dismissal from the team in the wake of a DUI arrest over the weekend.

'I am looking into the situation, gathering facts and will take appropriate action once all the facts are in,' West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said through a school spokesman.

Sanders, a junior, was seen speeding near campus and crossing the center lane in a black Dodge Charger early Saturday, according to an arrest report filed in Monongalia County Magistrate Court. Officer C.L. Thomas approached Sanders' car in a parking lot and reported that he could smell alcohol on Sanders' breath, the report said. When asked if he had been drinking, the 20-year-old Sanders responded 'a little,' according to the report.

Sanders then failed three out of four field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol level of .125, the report said. The legal limit in West Virginia is .08.

This is Sanders' second arrest in the past year. He was one of four West Virginia players who were arrested in connection with a fight at a club last February. They were charged in March with battery and each pleaded no contest, receiving a fine and community service hours.

Sanders led the Mountaineers last season with 53 catches for 462 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008. He also ran for 278 yards and two scores."

Brian Bennett covers the Big East for ESPN.com.

Another Playbook Case Study: FOX Sports on MSN - - Phelps acknowledges photo of him smoking a bong

Okay, 2004 Olympics, he was caught drinking and driving, underage. And, he said then, he would not do such behavior again, because he knows he has people looking up to him. Now, after the 2008 Olympics he says, "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," Phelps said in the statement released by one of his agents. "I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

I ask the same question to him, as I have NFL and NBA players, who do you, have on your "out-of-pool" team to make sure such things don't occur? And, where is his common sense?

Full story FOX Sports on MSN - - Phelps acknowledges photo of him smoking a bong

Second Witness Points to Harrison - ESPN The Magazine

I had decided initially not to speak on the Harrison shooting because ESPN had reported last week that no charges would be brought against Harrison. Even though, I could have still highlighted the obvious....the continued negative off-the-field actions of players continue to produce more negative publicity, not only for the individual (s) involved, but also for the NFL.
But, why beat a dead horse?

But, then again, why not? Maybe being a constant thorn in their side will get someone to pay attention. And, now with their season almost over -- two divisional title games taking place Sunday and than the Super Bowl -- this is the best time to continue this one-sided exchange. I am very curious as to how the NFL will use this off season to do some major re-organization to their internal player development department. This thing is beyond broken....no crazy clue can fix it. It needs a new mold.

Lets start over. And, I suggest they begin by allowing new businesses with a fresh perspective, new passion and driven purpose help to develop, enhance and repair the brand of the players and the NFL.

Let OTF-Branding: Professional and Personal Management, LLC (subsidiary of MWPR, Inc. and Visionary Financial Strategies, Inc.) come in the door, have a seat at the table.....shucks get a decision-maker to take their call for goodness sake! If afforded the opportunity, things will be different, trust me. Shameless plug....YOU KNOW IT!

Second Witness Points to Harrison - ESPN The Magazine

MWPRINCight: ESPN - New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress attends homeless fundraiser

Crisis Management 101: The first step in fixing public perception is do something that positively impacts the public. This is what Plaxico attempted to do in attending Kevin Powell's fundraiser the other night. I don't disagree with the strategy, but I wonder if it did any good other than giving Powell's event some otherwise absent media attention. It might help him get some points with the judge and that will be good. I don't believe he will do anyone any good going to jail. Shooting himself is probably all the punishment he needed and possibly loosing out on some hefty pay. I just PRAY...this is the final wake up call he needs to get it together. Unfortunately, I think he may have stayed asleep a minute too long. We shall see.

Burress attends fundraiser for homeless at New York club
Associated Press

Giants receiver Plaxico Burress attended a charity fundraiser for the homeless at a New York City nightclub two weeks after accidentally shooting himself in the right thigh.
Burress arrived at Kevin Powell's 8th Annual Holiday Party and Clothing Drive at the Madison nightclub around 8:45 p.m. on Friday with his wife, Tiffany, and son, Elijah.

The suspended Super Bowl hero refused to discuss the Nov. 29 shooting at the Latin Quarter nightclub that led to criminal possession of a weapon charges and his suspension for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs for conduct detrimental to the team.

"I'm just here to support this event, it's a great event, and I thought it'd be a great chance to get my wife out, and my son out, and support such a great event where it helps kids, homeless kids," Burress said in a transcript provided by WNBC-TV of New York City. "This is a wonderful thing for us to come out and be able to help people and we can lend a helping hand. I have a child, I have a son, I couldn't imagine him being in that situation, so that's why I brought him also."

Burress talked about the event when asked if he was remorseful in the wake of the shooting or was thinking about his teammates.

Benjamin Brafman, Burress' attorney, did not immediately return a telephone call by The Associated Press seeking comment on his client's appearance, which is believed to be his first since being arraigned on illegal gun possession charges on Dec. 1.

Burress shot himself at the Latin Quarter when he accidentally pulled the trigger on the .40-caliber Glock that was in his pants after fumbling a drink.

Teammate Antonio Pierce took the 31-year-old who caught the game-winning pass in the Super Bowl to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center for treatment.

The hospital suspended the doctor who treated Burress for failing to report the shooting to police.

Pierce, the Giants middle linebacker, also was questioned by police a week after the shooting for failing to report the incident, and his decision to bring the gun back to New Jersey after leaving the hospital.

Police say Pierce gave the gun to Burress' wife after returning home.

Burress pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bail. He is due back in court March 31.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

ESPN - New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress attends homeless fundraiser

Magic Johnson has magic touch in business, too - USATODAY.com

Magic Johnson is the poster child for what Off-The-Field Branding: Professional and Personal Management, LLC, a subsidiary of MWPR, Inc. looks to do to help more athletes create success off the court/field.


By Matt Krantz,
USA TODAY

BEVERLY HILLS — Almost nobody would question Earvin Johnson's skill on the basketball court. But in his second career as an entrepreneur, there were doubters from the start.

Johnson, best known by his nickname "Magic," remains one of the best players to ever don the gold and purple Los Angeles Lakers uniform. Johnson was the star point guard and a key to the Lakers' domination in the 1980s, helping to hand the team five NBA championships. An oversize copy of his No. 32 jersey hangs above the Lakers' home court.

But despite his towering 6-foot-9-inch stature and vise-grip handshake, at first glance, Johnson didn't seem like such a natural in the boardroom.

Executives he pitched on a business idea developed when still a player — opening high-quality movie theaters and restaurants in inner-city neighborhoods — often didn't see what he saw. Instead, "they saw me as just a basketball player," he says from inside his modestly decorated offices in Beverly Hills.
In his recently released book, 32 Ways to be a Champion in Business, Johnson wrote that executives would "hand me a basketball and ask for an autograph, but they did not want to hear my pitch for investing in neighborhoods populated by blacks."

Johnson, 49, isn't your typical buttoned-up executive. He sits comfortably reclined in his chair, speaks casually, and freely flashes his trademark smile. Retired from basketball following his stunning 1991 announcement that he had contracted HIV, Johnson has focused on succeeding in a business world where many former athletes have failed.

But Johnson says he had a dream and a concrete plan. While traversing the urban hearts of cities in team buses to basketball games, he saw boarded-up businesses and a lack of retail outlets. He told himself he'd help revive some of those neighborhoods when he could, he says.

And that's the magic of Magic. While other executives steered clear of urban areas, Johnson saw opportunity. His business plan, his overtime performance after basketball, was to bring established retail brands to the inner cities by tailoring them to the residents.

From experience comes business
It's that niche that has morphed Magic Johnson from a name on the back of a basketball jersey into a brand in its own right. Magic Johnson Enterprises is a private company that owns or helps operate companies ranging from more than a dozen 24 Hour Fitness centers, more than 100 Starbucks locations, food service companies, a T.G.I. Friday's in Los Angeles and other businesses across the country. The company also has a private investment arm, with $1 billion in cash, which Johnson says will help the company expand, especially now that real estate can be bought at low prices.

It's just as Johnson saw it. The inner-city market was a big opportunity for someone with the knowledge to go after it, he says. "I knew that because I lived it. I just turned it into a business."

It's hard to summarize the swath of Johnson's businesses, as they range from food service to job placement and coffee. But the common theme of most is the marriage of his name alongside another well-known brand. Together, Johnson and another company enter urban markets that some have long avoided.

The Magic touch is taking chains with a familiar formula that plays well in the suburbs, and tailoring them so they fit the customers and tastes of the inner city. Rather than having to drive to the suburbs, residents can stay put and frequent Johnson's local twist on a national chain. Completing the circle, Magic Johnson Foundation, Johnson's philanthropic arm, invests in the community by building computer centers and other social services, helping to build goodwill with the residents.

Johnson is scarce on the details on precisely what the things are that he does to make his version of chains different that those in the suburbs, or in his words, "Magicize" it.

But he uses an example to describe how the first Starbucks he opened in Los Angeles is different than others in the sprawling chain. Johnson noticed many regular customers at the Starbucks gathered to play chess. It was a scene reminiscent of the casual chess tournaments that take place in inner-city parks.

So Johnson bent the corporate rules to make the chess players more welcome. After getting approval from Starbucks, he installed several picnic tables outside that not only captured the vibe of the chess tournaments but also let the local residents know they were welcome. Now, the Starbucks draws a loyal following of chess players, who lure friends and other chess players, he says.

Burger King restaurants that Johnson owns are also a little different. Customers hear Magic Johnson's voice on the loudspeaker in the drive-through, instead of a canned anonymous voice.

In plain sight
The fact the inner cities could support mainstream brands may seem evident now, but it was practically revolutionary when Johnson started. Getting investors in the early days of the business was challenging, especially following the riots that tore up Los Angeles following the 1992 Rodney King trial, he says.

Despite the success of his movie theater in Los Angeles, Johnson knew he needed more money to expand to other businesses.

His advisers in 1995 suggested approaching California's massive public pension fund, the California Public Employees' Retirement System (Calpers), for $150 million to develop his first non-theater business, what would be his first Starbucks and T.G.I .Friday's near Los Angeles' South Central neighborhood. He didn't quite get the answer he wanted, though.

Officials at Calpers wanted to know why, if his idea was such a good one, no one else was doing it. That stumped Johnson. "I couldn't answer the question," he says. He'd wondered himself why even the largest U.S. companies were avoiding big potential profits to be made serving urban markets filled with consumers ready to spend but with nowhere to go.

Proof of vision
Eventually, Calpers got on board with $50 million to start. That money helped Johnson finance his dream and show that the concept could work. Another $100 million from Calpers followed shortly after. Johnson's business "has proven to be a successful model," says Calpers spokeswoman Pat Macht.
Johnson is also quick to see opportunities. After several companies called asking for help on ways to tap the inner-city market, he created a consulting and licensing business.

Best Buy, for instance, in February 2008 turned to Johnson for help on operating stores that appeal more to the urban market. "We believe our relationship with Magic Johnson Enterprises will help us learn and apply fresh perspectives, which can strengthen our business and the communities where we have stores — it makes good business sense," the consumer electronics retailer's spokeswoman Dawn Bryant said in an e-mailed response.

Despite the challenging economy, Johnson says some of the best opportunities are ahead. Magic Johnson Enterprises' capital management business, for instance, raised, but didn't deploy, $1 billion last year. "Cash is king," he says, adding that he's constantly approached by real estate investors looking to sell choice properties. Downtown areas are especially ripe for investment, he says.

That's not to say it's nothing but net for Johnson, the businessman. Foot traffic is falling at his Starbucks stores as many consumers, not just in urban markets, cut back, he says. Consumers are seeing Starbucks "as a luxury. (Consumers) may only go once a week or not at all," he says. Starbucks warned on Dec. 4 that sales at stores open a year or more have fallen 9% in the U.S. so far in the quarter started in late September.

Johnson, though, has faced difficulty before, and that hasn't stopped him. Starbucks just needs to reconnect with what it does best, he says, and stop "trying to be everything to everybody."
That's really his key advice to entrepreneurs, and something he follows himself. Pick a niche, something you can be good at, and don't stray. "You need to play to your strengths," he says. "My strength is urban America."

Magic Johnson has magic touch in business, too - USATODAY.com

The Playbook: Our Argument

Thanks to CNN/SI Vault the argument for why an initative like The Playbook is needed continues to be strengthened. This is a sad state of affairs for the sports industry as a whole. See for yourself.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1149498/1/index.htm?bcnn=yes

MWPR Client News

MWPR Client News Report:
Check out Keion Carpenter this Sunday, December 7th at 10:55AM on BET's Bring That Week Back (BET.com/onblast) where he shares his opinions on the Plaxico Burress and OJ Simpson situations.





Athlete Chat:Ex-NFL player Keion Carpenter

by Reeve Cononi

Baltimore is a city full of talent, birthing the careers of high-caliber athletes like Carmelo Anthony, Sam Cassell, and Antonio Freeman. Even while Baltimore has produced several premier professional athletes, the city does not always have the proper resources for student-athletes to receive the necessary exposure to move on past the high school level. Baltimore native and recently retired NFL safety Keion Carpenter looks to bring change to the face of Baltimore and create a doorway for its youth to build successful athletic careers.





At Woodlawn Senior High School, Keion competed as a three-sport athlete in track, basketball, and football. To reach the next level, Keion found recognition early from playing AAU basketball and built a reputation with coaches because of his athleticism. However, it was Keion’s talent in football that began to stand out, and by his junior year, he was a Blue Chip high school All-American and a top-100 player.



After high school, Keion played football for Virginia Tech. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in Residential Property Management and was the school's all-time leading punt blocker. In 1999, Keion signed with the Buffalo Bills as a rookie free agent. Keion had a breakout season in 2000, intercepting five passes for sixty-three yards. In 2002, Keion signed with the Atlanta Falcons and intercepted four passes, returning one for a touchdown.

In 2005, Keion started his own foundation —The Carpenter House, Inc. ("TCH") — before officially retiring in 2007 after an eight-year career in the NFL.







After his retirement, Keion Carpenter became a “man on a mission” with his primary focus on his foundation. Through his foundation, Keion seeks to create opportunities for underprivileged families to become homeowners in the inner-city Baltimore area.

The name Carpenter House represents much more than just a family identity, it represents the lessons and teachings that his grandparents have passed down to him and the rest of the family. The main objective of The Carpenter House is to educate, plan, and prepare people for the future by giving them the necessary means to succeed. The foundation wants to empower individuals by helping them find a job, relieve debt, and manage their credit. What sets The Carpenter House apart from other organizations is that they don’t just give out money, they show people how to keep their house and maintain a stable standard of living.

Keion believes he has the blueprint to teach and encourage anyone who is willing to help themselves.

In keeping with The Carpenter House mission, Keion develops housing for the underprivileged and he expects to have his first home completed by Christmas 2008. However he explained, that even though it doesn’t require much effort to help someone in need, he cannot do it alone.

"Thirty minutes of volunteer work can mean so much to someone who has nothing at all." With a united effort, he hopes to have 50 to 100 homes developed within the next five years. Eventually, Keion would like to have entire blocks and communities developed as a result of his efforts. Keion wants The Carpenter House to become the model for other cities and communities in need of positive change.

It was a dream of Keion’s to take care of his family and to give back to the city of Baltimore. He knows that Baltimore has some of the best athletes in the country, but they are too often overlooked due to poor grades. Keion could not stress enough how important education is and how it became the deciding factor for his future. He wants to make sure younger kids also understand that with the proper focus on education, along with athletic talent, they can open doors to many opportunities.

To spread the message, Keion and his close friend Jerrell Wilson started the For My Kids program. For My Kids mentors and tutors student-athletes to assist them in successfully reaching the next level in life. He wants kids to be students first and athletes second. He believes kids should start taking the SAT's in ninth grade instead of waiting until the 11th grade. This way, they are more prepared to take it during their senior year and will hopefully score higher.
“The bottom line is that colleges have millions of dollars to offer in scholarships. If the kids can do what they are supposed to scholastically, then the good athletes should be all set,” Carpenter said. He also issues this challenge to the students, “If I could do it without help, then you have no excuse not to try your best!”

Carpenter is an excellent role-model not only for inner-city kids aspiring to be professional athletes, but also for other professional athletes looking to make a difference in people's lives. When Keion retired from the NFL, he made a decision to give back to the community where it all started.

Keion Carpenter is clearly making an effort to change Baltimore for the better. However, he cannot do it alone! He needs, and Baltimore needs everyone's help. All you need is compassion, some spare time, and the willingness to do some manual labor. All it takes is one weekend to change someone’s life! If you are looking to get involved as a volunteer, visit The Carpenter House, Inc.'s official website and contact Benkta Robinson at (410) 790-1367.


On behalf of AccessAthletes, we would like to thank Keion for taking time out of busy schedule to do an interview with The Real Athlete Blog. Reeve Cononi can be contacted at reeve@accessathletes.com.

http://www.accessathletes.com/blog/

MWPR News

MWPR │News!

Interview with a Sports Professional: Monica Woodby Janelle Finley
AccessAthletes.com

Find full interview at http://www.accessathletes.com/blog/blogdisplay.cfm?blogid=170

ESPN - New York Giants suspend Plaxico Burress four games after charges

This is just ugly. It is sad. But, it's unfortunately becoming the norm. The facts haven't really changed since the news broke Saturday. However, this situation just continues to have legs and voice. It's a broken record that keeps sounding off prodominently within the NFL. And, now, I am sounding like a broken record....what is the NFL going to do in putting in place a process for long-term practice in order to begin to lessen these blows with other players as they enter in the league? But, let me stop there...I vowed to follow this story through, but probably will not provide too much more commentary. Because there is nothing new to say or suggest.

Just read for yourself....

ESPN - New York Giants suspend Plaxico Burress four games after charges

http://news.google.com/nwshp?tab=wn&ned=us&ncl=1277242740&hl=en&topic=s

MWPRInsight Update: Giants' Burress reports to New York police

This a great case study for The Playbook: Mentoring Initiative. MWPRInsight will follow this one throughout to see how the NFL, the public and others manage the situation with Burress.

Giants' Burress reports to New York police

MWPR Client News

MWPR Client News:


Ex-NFL player back at Woodlawn
At his old high school, former 'hardhead' helps students get their heads straight




By Arin Gencer arin.gencer@baltsun.com
November 30, 2008




For the past several months, former NFL safety Keion Carpenter has been going back to school.Roaming the halls of Woodlawn High School, he slips into classrooms for lessons on federal versus state government powers. He stops to chat with teachers and students between classes.

And when the dismissal bell rings, Carpenter, 31, joins the varsity football players as they practice, exchanging quips with and shouting instructions at the athletes during grueling exercises.For Carpenter, who graduated from Woodlawn in 1995, the time spent with students as a volunteer coach and mentor is a chance to show them life's possibilities - and teach them what's necessary to turn their potential into reality.

"I want my presence, being here, to be an inspiration to them," said Carpenter, who played football and basketball at the Baltimore County school. "Hopefully, they can look at me and say, 'Wow, this guy, he went to school here, he made it. He went on to college, went on to the pros, and now he's giving back.'"Carpenter's path from Woodlawn is one that many of the young Warriors would like to take: full athletic football scholarship to Virginia Tech, then a career in the National Football League as a safety for the Buffalo Bills and the Atlanta Falcons before retiring in 2006.

"He's just one success story of many, but he's the one that's right there on the front line," said Brian W. Scriven, Woodlawn's principal. "He's achieved what so many dream of achieving."Scriven recently took the lead at the newly restructured school, where about 55 percent of seniors have met state test requirements for graduation - and 46 percent of last school year's students received free or reduced-price meals, an indicator of low family income.

Carpenter credits Scriven, who was head football coach when he played for the Warriors, with saving him, acting as the father he didn't have. He wants to support Scriven's mission to turn the school around, Carpenter said.A self-described "hardhead" with a "terrible attitude" as a student, he said he can relate to the more difficult individuals, too."I tell them all the time, 'I sat in the same classrooms that you sat in, I walked the same halls, I ate in the same cafeteria,'" said Carpenter, who splits his time between Maryland and his home in Georgia.

These days, he's in those classrooms and halls regularly - although he has no plans to revisit cafeteria food.One day, Carpenter stood near Woodlawn's front entrance as students spilled out of classrooms. He easily picked out those he knew."What's up, man? Good luck today," he said as he slapped hands with several junior varsity football players, who had a game later.As the halls cleared, he shouted to a student strolling by, "You need to go to class, chump!"

"My teacher's not in there," the student replied."You've still got to go to class," Carpenter shot back."It's more than just to show up on the football field," he said in an interview, explaining his presence in the building. "I want them to know that it's more of an importance to be a better student. … If you don't take your books just as much as you take practice, then you're not going to be able to play football.

"For many of the teens at Woodlawn, the coaches "are their fathers and their role models," said Michael Sye, the school's athletics director.

Having "Coach Keion" around encourages and motivates them, the athletes said.

"He's been there before, so he knows how to get to where we want to go," said senior Delontai Bruton, a running back. "He's giving us something that most of us thought we'd never have."

"What he is doing is really special," said senior Rudy Lee Daniel, a safety. "He could be doing something else instead of coming back, giving back to his community."Gary Servance, a senior and running back, said Carpenter is "giving us a taste of what the future life could be like - if we just stay on track."His involvement also speaks to a "level of commitment and perseverance that we're trying to transfer to our students," Scriven said. "They really need to understand some of the sacrifices … all of those coaches are making to try to have a positive impact on their lives."

For Carpenter, that relationship extends beyond the football field. He is like a big brother to the students - someone they can text with questions about sports and more personal subjects, including their plans for life after Woodlawn. He plans to work with the basketball team, for which many of his students also play.

"He doesn't approach us as, 'I'm a coach, respect me,' but more so, 'I'm somebody you can talk to,'" said David Williams, the quarterback.Carpenter has also made a commitment to helping them through the college application process, talking to them about colleges they're interested in, what they need to do to prepare themselves academically - and offering to call coaches on their behalf.

"He's right there - you can ask him anything," Daniel said, adding that Carpenter is "the easiest person to get to."Williams said Carpenter's presence is "kind of like that edge that you need.""It's just a hope," Williams said. "Somebody can make it that came out of here - why can't I?"

keion carpenter

Age: 31

Education: Woodlawn High, Class of 1995; Virginia Tech, Class of 1999

Career: Played safety for the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons; retired 2006

Current activities: founder of Carpenter House, a Baltimore-based nonprofit foundation to help single parents and low-income families become homeowners; volunteer football coach, Woodlawn High School; president of for-profit advocacy organization For My Kids (FMK)

Residence: Splits time between Georgia and Maryland

Family: Father of three

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.co.woodlawn30nov30,0,7011523.story

MWPRInsight: Lawyer to AP: Burress expects plea Monday - Yahoo! News

The Playbook Commentary:

Ok, first and foremost, I am thankful that he did not kill himself. But, are you serious? Can this really be happening? How do you shoot yourself? Unless an intruder has just broken in the house WHY do you have a gun near you? This is definitely a "what was he thinking" situation.

However, thanks to Tiki Barber, after just watching him on Football Night in America, let me give a different perspective. Burress and other players come from an environment where having a gun is the norm in order to protect oneself, something that many of us cannot relate to. And, before we begin to judge, we need to first place ourselves in their shoes.

So, let me twist things right here and point the finger back towards the NFL. Here again, we have a situation where the NFL, the sports agents, etc. in my opinion have fumbled the ball. Although, personal responsibility is necessary, expected and important, those who represent and benefit from the talents/skills of these athletes should be more attentive and deliberate in their management of players that they KNOW need a little more "coaching", either due to their background or personnel/personal history.

Now, Burress probably will say, I am a grown "A" man and I don't need constant supervision or need to tell you if I got a gun. Now, although he is a grown man, he is not his OWN man....not while he represents the NFL and plays for an organization which is currently the NY Giants. As long as he gets the multi-million dollar deals he is currently getting, YOU, Mr. Burress, represent those two brands. And, because of that, have a responsibility to them first and you second. I believe this is where the players are missing the mark. And, where they are being given too much rope....a level of expectations is discussed, but very loosely enforced. And, if enforced, it is not enforced fairly across the board.

Not all situations should be thrown in the same boat....consequences should be based on the actions and the number of incidents...period. Not, based on the person's performance, celebrity status, "hook ups", etc.

I throw that out there, because now I am curious to see how the NFL handles this one. What will happen to Burress because of this? And, will it be fair?

Lawyer to AP: Burress expects plea Monday
By HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Sports Writer







LANDOVER, Md. – Plaxico Burress plans to turn himself in to police Monday morning in New York City and plead not guilty to criminal possession of a weapon, his lawyer said.

Benjamin Brafman wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Sunday that he was advised the New York Giants' star receiver will be charged after accidentally shooting himself in the right thigh.

"I do not expect that Mr. Burress will make a statement," Brafman wrote.

He met with Burress for about an hour Sunday at the player's home in New Jersey.

"I would ask that his fans, the Giants and the media withhold judgment in this matter until all of the facts have been disclosed," Brafman wrote to the AP.

Brafman is a well-known criminal lawyer who has defended mobsters and other high-profile figures, including hip-hop impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs on a bribery and gun possession charge in 2001.
Burress shot himself at a Manhattan nightclub Friday night and was released from a hospital early Saturday, the Giants said.

"As far as we know, he's going to be OK," general manager Jerry Reese said before the Super Bowl champions' game Sunday at the Washington Redskins.

Before the shooting, Burress already had been ruled out of the game because of an unrelated leg injury.

New York police and NFL security are investigating what happened Friday. Giants linebacker Antonio

Pierce was interviewed by NFL security at the team's hotel Saturday, Reese said.

Pierce — who started against Washington — reportedly was present for the latest dramatic turn in a tumultuous season of fines and suspension for Burress.

"Antonio is working on trying to beat the Redskins right now," Reese said before kickoff. "That's where his focus is and where it should be right now."

Neither Reese nor Giants president and CEO John Mara would say what Burress' status with the team might be going forward.

"I want to wait until we find out all the facts and circumstances before we make any determination," Mara said. "I don't know what happened there, and until we find out exactly what happened, I'm not going to make any comment or make any decision about what his future is."

Reese and Mara said they hadn't spoken to Burress, who hurt his hamstring two weeks ago and was going to miss the game against the Redskins because of that injury.

"I reached out to him," Reese said. "I did not get a return phone call."

Mara repeatedly said the Giants would cooperate with the police and the NFL in their investigations.
Asked if he knows what the scope of those inquiries are, Mara said: "I do not know, no. I guess the circumstances of how he got shot, whose gun it was. There are a lot of questions like that that are still unanswered."

Burress caught the go-ahead touchdown pass in the Giants' Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots in February, following a regular season in which he scored a career-high 12 TDs. He was rewarded with a $35 million, five-year contract, only hours before the current season.

But his consecutive-games streak with at least one catch ended at 115 last week against Arizona, after he aggravated his hamstring injury during the first series and did not return.

Burress has 35 catches for 454 yards and four touchdowns while constantly drawing double coverage this season.

Off the field, he was suspended for a game against Seattle in October and fined $117,500 for missing a team meeting and failing to notify the Giants of his absence. He said he had a family emergency.

Burress also was fined $45,000 by the NFL for his conduct during a game against San Francisco in which he abused an official and tossed a ball into the stands.


Lawyer to AP: Burress expects plea Monday - Yahoo! News