The countdown to the 2nd Annual Independent Retired Football Players Summit in Las Vegas has begun!

As the struggle continues between the NFL and the NFLPA to see who will be the gatekeeper of your licensing, pensions, access to fair disability and your overall well-being, it looks like the Summit is the only gathering of retired professional football players that is not sponsored by a special interest group. The Summit is being organized by retirees from all points of interest to be an independent forum where ALL opinions will be heard, discussed and honored.

There have been – and will be – other opportunities to attend “retiree” or “alumni” meetings and it’s important for everyone to continue to participate wherever possible to make a difference for all retirees. The Independent Football Player Summit is unlike any other event. No group, league or union is financing this event. No group, league or union will direct the overall agenda… YOU are the agenda. If you work closely with any of the retired player groups, the Summit is the perfect opportunity to reach out to those with other (or NO) ideas in a completely agenda-free environment. Whether or not you have a particular affiliation, this will be the opportunity to hear all view points and have questions answered. Until recently, there has been absolutely NO opportunity for a diverse broad-based group of retirees to convene, discuss, decide and, if so desired, reach agreement by VOTE as to what YOU want and need.

Some serious collaboration and work is expected to occur at this year’s Summit in Las Vegas. A great deal of discussion time has been scheduled along with experts from the legal, medical, pension, media and mentoring community. And it won’t be all work and no play. After all – it’s Las Vegas! Your NFL brother, Kyle Turley, who recently performed at Mike Ditka’s Gridiron Greats Super Bowl bash, is on tour this Spring. He will bring his musical talent and passion for his football brethren to our Summit, slipping a fundraising show just for us into his busy tour schedule!

Don’t miss out on hearing up-to-date news on the NFL, the NFLPA, what’s going on with the various groups and what is expected to happen in the near future… and don’t miss out on being heard. This is the first real 2010 Summit e-mail, yet half as many people as attended last year have already registered! Whether there are 20 or 220 attendees, this year’s Summit is on track to be informative, enlightening and empowering.

Our friends at The SouthPoint Resort & Casino are once again offering a room rate of $55 for the nights of the 15th, 16th and 17th. At less than half the regular rate a three-day stay will cost less than $200. Just like last year, registration for any retired football player and a family member is free – after all…it’s YOUR Summit!

Click on the Register tab at the top of this page to register for the 2010 Summit. (Please reserve your room at the South Point HERE first so you can provide your room registration number in your registration.)

Jane Arnett is co-chair of this year’s upcoming Summit.