It’s no secret that the NFL is a tough industry. The daily grind of practices and games coupled with the possibility of being traded or cut at a moment’s notice creates a very stressful environment. Unfortunately, that stress can get the best of us, including Junior Seau. He was a great football player with a promising future in the NFL. His death is a sad event, and my heart goes out to his family during this difficult time.

I’m headed out of town this weekend.  My family and I are going to Eugene, Oregon for the Oregon Ducks spring football game. We’re very excited about it! Our son Eric is going into his third year. Actually, it’s his redshirt sophomore year. He’s worked hard and had a good spring. We’re looking for the Ducks to be a top five team again and we’re hoping for some big things. Let’s have another great year in 2012!

The team always does a great job with the spring game. It’s a tribute to the armed forces, and instead of charging admission, they ask people to bring nonperishable food items to stock up food banks in the central Oregon area. It’s a great day all the way around, and we’re excited to be part of it again. Go Ducks!

The recent rule changes in the NFL are something I think many coaches will be excited about. I think the decisions made in the owners’ meeting will prove to be a huge benefit to both coaches and players throughout the football season.

Another hot topic in the NFL is the bounty incident with the New Orleans Saints. Safety of players should be a priority, so I support commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision and santions for the New Orleans coaches involved. Here are more of my thoughts on this issue.

In the last month, many people have shared their thoughts on the Trayvon Martin case and the facts that continue to surface. The biggest thing I see, is that we are beginning to operate under a fear mentality. Here’s more of what I think about the recent events surrounding this case.

There have been several changes in the realm of NFL quarterbacks recently, starting with Peyton Manning moving to the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow moving to the New York Jets. Change is never easy, but I’m eager to see how these two quarterbacks respond to their new environments and the challenges they will face.

Over the years, I’ve had a lot of parents ask me how to know if your child is athletically gifted, especially at a young age. My biggest piece of advice for them is to let their child develop a love for the game. As a parent, if you push too much, your child may lose his or her love of the sport. Encourage your child to pursue what he or she loves. Here’s more on how to parent athletically minded children.

That’s my pick! Who do YOU think will win it?

I recently read a statistic about how many children are growing up without a father and it was disheartening. My dad played a tremendous role in my life, and I am praying that men in this country will see the importance of their role as a father.

Divorce is difficult for everyone in your family, especially your children. The most important thing to do is continue to remind your kids how much you love them by spending time with them. It is also important to show respect to your ex-spouse and be an example for your children. Here’s more on being a divorced dad.