Oakland Raiders: We Love and Respect Both Young and Old

After reading " Military Service Credit for Federal Civilian Retirement" , I was reminded of the situation imposed on some NFL players during the era when America had a mandatory draft into the United States military.

There were a few good men who had their careers interrupted in the NFL, causing a gap in their career length. This issue needs to be reexamined. This issue has affected a few Oakland Raiders who played professional football in the '60s.

NFL football is a part of the fabric of America.

It has been instrumental in helping America keep the morale of the people lifted during times of economic stress and times of war. The Oakland Raiders had some of their best statistics during that era.

When times are hard, football is a good game to view and to release frustrations and other feelings. Families gather around radios, televisions, and computers to shout, jump, and "cuss" about good and bad plays, sacks, dropped balls, and more.

Sometimes we have not because we ask not.

I, hereby, propose that the NFL rethink its policies on tallying the career length of each and every player who responded to the draft, served their country, and received an honorable discharge.

Here is the proposal. If an NFL player spent two years in the military, then add two years to his career length.

That is the least that can be done.

Why? Here is an answer.

Times are hard now. The economic situation is depressing and stress-filled for many people. Older people are disproportionately affected by the conditions in the 21st century. 

The retired NFL player is a person who has dually suffered injury and stress from playing football to entertain a struggling America during the Vietnam War, and other crises and stresses of being in the military.

Now, these older men who are both veterans and retired NFL pl...

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