May 15, 2015
Dear Tom, as I write this letter I understand that you have assembled a dream team of legal experts that will file an appeal of the suspension you recently received from the NFL. Perhaps you should add a PR /crisis manager expert to your team. I recommend Olivia Pope. Admittedly she is a fictional character from a popular TV show but still she seems pretty good at what she does. Besides she refers to herself as a gladiator in a suit so it sounds like she might know a little about football too. As a crisis management expert she would review your case but ultimately advise you to withdraw your appeal. I think that would be excellent advice Tom. I am sure that you are aware that in the court of public opinion where NFL fans are the judge and jury you have been found guilty of the offenses and the consensus is that your 4 game suspension is more than fair. I understand that you have a reputation as a fierce competitor which is what helps to make you an outstanding QB. I am sure that like most athletes you abhor losing. Well Tom the play you've called is not going to work, call an audible! I hope you realize that if you win your appeal, you will actually lose in the long run. If this is about your legacy as some say Tom you will do further damage to it by continuing this appeals process. At some point Tom you must realize that every situation you encounter in life is not a competition nor is it a zero sum game where there is a clear winner and a clear loser. Although I am not Olivia Pope I do get paid for my PR counsel. Were I advising you, I would recommend that your best course of action would be to hold a press conference today, where you would admit that you lied, apologize to the fans, your teammates, the ballboys, Ted Wells the NFL, and whomever you deem appropriate and withdraw your appeal. America will forgive you because they really want to and you are still a likable guy. However if you continue down this road with your appeal, which you might win considering that Roger Goodell, a great friend of your team owner is going to make the final decision, you will paint yourself as a petulant, arrogant villain in the eyes of fans and the general public. So ask yourself Tom, which is worse, humbling yourself , being contrite, admitting you cheated and being forgiven or proceeding with an appeal that if you win might get you back on the field a couple of games sooner but will more than likely tarnish your image and legacy forever? At some point should you continue down this bumpy road, the sentiment will become ,to borrow a quote from the McCarthy hearings, "At long last sir have you no sense of decency?" Let it go Tom. End it today. Any argument about the penalty being too stiff or questions about proportionality are preposterous Tom, we are talking about the integrity of the game. If the Chicago Little League baseball team, a group of teens, can accept its punishment for allegedly cheating, a punishment by the way that is way more severe than yours, ---being stripped of their title--you as an adult and professional athlete can certainly accept yours. As that football guru, Jon Gruden, often states, let's not make this too complicated Tom, you cheated, you were caught and now you are paying the price. Tom in every crisis there is an opportunity and this is your opportunity to turn a negative into a positive. Embrace it! Throw your self on the mercy of the court of public opinion and do it today. I know that there is little to no chance that you will ever read this letter but I hope you will. If not I hope that someone in your inner circle will express this point of view to you. I think it would be very helpful. All the best to Giselle, your kids and you.
Sincerely,
Michael Nixon
