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NEW YORK – Tony Dungy is taking a lead role in improving communication between the NFL and its players.
Dungy will lead a new NFL player advisory forum that will meet with players about league policies, programs and issues that affect their lives on and off the field. Those subjects will include player health and safety, personal conduct, game rules and procedures, career transition and player development.
Dungy, who retired as coach of the Indianapolis Colts after last season, is a special adviser to commissioner Roger Goodell.
“When I worked on the competition committee we always had meetings with players at the NFL combine to talk about issues important to them,” Dungy said, “and then the committee reported back to the commissioner and the league office. I thought that communication always was important and commissioner Goodell wanted to broaden that.”
Goodell will attend the meetings, and union officials have been invited to attend. Pro Bowl players Kurt Warner, Ray Lewis and Brian Dawkins are among the players who will take part in the meetings. Dungy envisions as many as 50 players being involved, including a dozen or more before the end of the season.
President Obama will appear with NFL players Drew Brees, Troy Polamalu and DeMarcus Ware in a public-service announcement that will air during the league’s Thanksgiving games. The PSA promotes the league’s Play 60 campaign, which encourages physical activity to combat childhood obesity, and the president’s community-service initiative United We Serve.
Minnesota signed coach Brad Childress to a contract extension. ESPN.com reported the extension would keep Childress in Minnesota through the 2013 season. … On his Twitter page, New Orleans tight end Jeremy Shockey, in response to LeBron James talking about playing in the NFL, wrote: “Everyone trust me Lebron James could not play in the NFL! espn is crazy to even think he could even make a practice squad. hes a 4.9 40 time.” … Reggie Bush has missed two practices this week as New Orleans tries to rest the running back’s left knee. … Washington running back Clinton Portis will miss Sunday’s game against Dallas as he recovers from a concussion. … The wife of former NFL and Ohio State star Chris Spielman has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. WBNS radio in Columbus, where Chris Spielman co-hosts a show, says 42-year-old Stefanie Spielman died at the family’s home in Upper Arlington.
