Ian Rapoport reports Ron Brace became emotional as he helped kick off a drive to raise $200,000 to assist victims of the tornadoes in Springfield.
"It just hits me more because I see that there’s people who actually want to help and I just want this to keep going," Brace said once he gathered himself. "Don’t let this momentum stop. We got to keep rebuilding this city and make it better than what it was before this tornado came in and destroyed so many memories. I just can’t say ‘thank you’ enough."
"I grew up literally not too far from here, and there’s so much damage," Brace said. "Just seeing the devastation . . . I’ve seen houses blown away that I’ve been in before, doors on the street, cars flipped, houses ruined. It hits you."
"This is when you appreciate everything. It gives you drive to do more helpful stuff. So that’s what I want to keep going." "It’s a long road," said Brace, who already organized a fashion show to help raise funds. "But I always wanted to do something for my city. I just wanted to see guys start helping each other. If nobody starts, it’s not going to happen."
Christopher Price notes Boston is next on the NFL's "Negotiations Across America" tour.
"It was a good day in the sense that we had a full discussion on the issues, and I think our ownership continues to be determined to reach an agreement and play that full season," [commissioner Roger] Goodell said. "I think it’s a tremendous positive that the principals are talking. Players and owners are talking to one another and negotiating, and I think that’s a positive step. Hopefully we’ll all be successful in reaching an agreement that’s fair and balanced for everybody.
"We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’ve got to do it right," Goodell added. "The agreement that we’re focusing on and negotiating has got to address several issues. Those issues are complex and it needs to be done in a way that is fair to the players, fair to the clubs, and most importantly allows us to continue to have that full 2011 football season. That’s what we want, that’s what the fans want, they want football and it’s our job to try to make that happen."
TEAM TALK
- Ask PFW: Personnel-ly speaking.
- Erik Scalavino reports an emotional Ron Brace asks for help for his hometown of Springfield.
- Patriots Charitable Foundation teams with United Way to help tornado victims.
- Patriots Today - Tornado relief campaign. (2.19 min. video)
- Patriots Alumni Club will host a free 'Football For You' youth clinic in Springfield Friday.
- PFW in Progress - 6/21/11: The PFW crew discusses the NFL owners meeting to talk about the lockout, Pats cornerback depth and more. (2 hour program)
LOCAL LINKS
- Christopher Price reports NFL players and owners will continue talks this week in Boston area.
- Greg Cameron reports on Ron Brace returning to Springfield, MA to help the team raise funds for tornado relief.
- Jerry Thornton says Boston fans deserve every championship for their "irrational, disproportionate lack of 'perspective' and obsessive love of the four local teams that drives them to win."
- Bruce Allen examines a recent discussion of Tom Brady, one of the "most ridiculous" exchanges he has ever heard on the local sports media scene.
- Mike Rodak looks at the Patriots safeties are under contract for 2011 and what happens if Jarrad Page doesn't return.
- Mike Rodak puts the new CBA and free agency in focus.
- ESPNBoston introduces fans to Assistant Athletic Trainer and Director of Rehabilitation Joe Van Allen, now in his 10th year with the Patriots.
- Shalise Manza Young reminds fans Tom Brady will answer questions tonight during a commercial shoot for Under Armour.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Sean Leahy (USA Today) Patriots in depth: Can Brady and Co. recapture playoff mojo?
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Revis, McCourty and then Davis at corner.
- Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Respected veterans top list of NFL's best corners.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) O'Brien establishing coach cred with Pats.
- Kevin Seifert (ESPN) Power Rankings: Rising assistant coaches.
- Paul Kuharsky (ESPN) Agent assess up-and-coming assistants.
- Staff (Pro Football Weekly) Report: Players with four or more years of experience will be UFAs.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Look at free agency under proposed CBA.
- Greg Gabriel (Nat'l Football Post) Potential second-year impact players.
- Golf Magazine has a Fab Foursome Bracket Challenge that includes Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning. Fans pick from 64 artists, politicians, athletes and golf icons.
LABOR LUNACY
- Don Banks (SI) Owners meeting reveals few details but plenty of optimism for deal.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) NFL could be back in business by July 15th.
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Traces of a deal?
- Len Pasquarelli (Fox Sports) Momentum leading to new NFL CBA.
- Clark Judge (CBS Sports) Motivated owners look ready to seal labor deal soon.
- Len Pasquarelli (CBS Sports) Deal likely within 2-3 weeks with most owners on board.
- Sam Farmer (LA Times) Magic number for NFL labor deal is 24.
- Albert Breer (NFLN) Colts' Irsay: 'This is the time to get something done'.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: "No significant dissent" among owners yet.
- Chris Mortensen (ESPN) Sources: 48 percent share for players.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: New CBA would include 16-game Thursday night TV package.
- Josh Katzowitz (CBS Sports) Goodell: 'It was a good day' but 'lot to be done'.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Jeff Pash says negotiations still need "a significant amount of time."
- AP Report (SI) Chicago meetings end; NFL, players now set to meet in Boston.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Will NFLPA press for special benefits for named plaintiffs?
- Bill Briggs (MSNBC) Cities caught in the middle of NFL-union fight.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) On local impact of NFL games, league can't have it both ways.