Dear the National Football League's Attorney Mr. Brad S. Karp,
Following the release of the March 24th article " N.F.L.’s Flawed Concussion Research and Ties to Tobacco Industry" published in the New York Times I noticed you and the NFL demanded that the article be retracted. I have to admit, your claims towards the NYT's statements are very bold and courageous. Asking for the New York Times, a highly respected newspaper known across the world, to retract an article with evidence that proves the statements are false is brave. However, demanding an article be retracted because it is "false" and "defamatory" without valid proof that any claims made were completely false is downright foolish. You have managed to place a multi-billion dollar franchise (who's integrity is already thin due to concussion crises) into a battle that it can't win. However, you have two ways of losing this battle.
Step 1: Stop Talking and Start Reading
After the NYT dropped its bombshell article, your reaction and that of the NFL was childish. You acted just the way the PBS documentary "League Of Denial" portrayed the NFL and way the league's researchers and doctors acted throughout the entire concussion crisis: Straight to denial.
You're like an addict because you won't even admit you have a problem. You demand that the article be retracted because it hurts your image. What image? The comparison between you and the tobacco industry isn't new. It has come up in house judiciary hearings in the early 2000s and it will come up again.
Step 2: Realize your wrong
The New York Times rejected your demands for the retraction of the article and caused more damage to the NFL than anything else. The New York Times is fighting back with something that hurts--the truth. Trust me, the ball is in their court. The first thing that favors them is their reputation, and the fact that they still have a huge amount of integrity. The second thing they have on their side is the fact that the NFL has the hardest time in the world admitting it's wrong. Anyone who has ever watched a football game knows that the head gets hit. Concussions are caused by a hit either directly to the head or a force that travels through the body to the head. The fact that the NFL just recently, this year, admitted for the first time that there is a link between concussions and football proves just how stubborn the league really is.
Step 3: Lose Well
Personally, if I were you I would speak with all the leaders of the NFL and admit that the New York Times article has a valid point. I would gather all information and data that shows not only the skewed research, but any possible information that the NFL is willing to embrace the link between concussions and football. Then, I would look to see where the NFL can work to no longer look like the tobacco industry. After finding all the areas of improvement and coming up with a plan that is feasible and honest, put that plan into place.
Most Importantly: Tell the truth.
Then, just maybe, the New York Times might publish another article, this time with a different tone.
Sincerely,
Someone who means well
