With the NFL pre-season in full swing this weekend, without the likes of troublemakers Michael Vick or Pacman Jones, it's time to highlight two of the GOOD GUYS - Jason Simmons and Ahman Green of the Houston Texans.
Just in case you missed the story (watch the video -it is priceless)- and in all likelihood you did - as the NFL really missed on capitalizing in pitching this story to ALL media outlets, I'll give a quick overview.
As sports players go, they are a superstitious bunch. So when Ahman Green found himself on a new team - The Texans - in 2007, he wondered HOW WOULD HE GET HIS #30, as that number was already the property of one Jason Simmons. A number Simmons had worn for as long as the Texans were in existence (Since 2002). Unlike some athletes who are already making millions in salary, and just looking at it as an opportunity to make MORE $$ by charging their new teammate the right to get their old number such as Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins did....
When Portis was traded to Washington, 26 was worn by Ifeanyi Ohalete. They worked out a $30,000 payment, signed a contract and everything. Then Ohalete was cut, and Portis refused to pay. Ohalete kept nagging him about it, Portis suggested they settle things with a boxing match, and Ohalete sued him. He did eventually get his money.
Jason proved his is MORE than just a football player, and leveraged his celebrity to the good. So with Green looking for his #30, Simmons, made a "deal".....If Green would pay him $25,000 (which was then matched by Houston owner Bob McNair) Simmons would donate it to a single mother, who's son has autism, and she would then be able to put a down payment on a home, so her son could have a yard to play in.
Needless to say - with all the other things that were happening to the NFL during the off season (Mostly BAD)..how did they not trumpet this story nationwide and then challenge the other teams in the league to do similar things with their players in similar positions wanting to regain their precious numbers.
Jason Simmons is definitely the NFL Man-of-The-Year before it even begins!...
Marketing Takeaway - Look at opportunities that present themselves, such as the Simmons / Green deal and extend that message to build off of. Good news, makes good will...and goes a LONG way in offsetting Bad Press.
