NFLPA to Host Rookie Symposium in Washington D.C.

We wrote last week that the NFL decided to cancel the annual rookie symposium, which was supposed to take place in Canton, Ohio on June 26, because of the lockout. 

The symposium was cancelled for a whole seven days before the NFL Players Association made the announcement that they would be hosting a similar event in an attempt to fill the void in Washington D.C. from Jan. 28-29.

The NFLPA's event is called "The Business of Football: Rookie Edition" and will be open to everybody selected in the 2011 NFL Draft and, like the NFL's Rookie Symposium, will help teach rookies how to manage money, personal security, how to deal with the media and how to be a professional both on and off the football field.

"It was important for us to do this because it's a critical time in the lives of players who are about to enter the league," Atallah said. "Lockout issues aside, it's important that players are prepared for this next phase in their lives and careers."

Not only is the NFLPA hosting the event, which can be extremely beneficial to young men who could struggle to make the transition from the college game to the pro game, both on and off the field, they are paying the cost. They are paying for the cost of travel and lodging. They are also paying to have both retired and active players on hand to help the rookies make the transition.

The event will not be mandatory for rookies to attend.