Addressing Bullying within the NFFLA

Witnessed his behavior; specifically dishonesty and unaccountability on 5/26

And if I might add just one final note. One of the indictments against me is that several years ago, I uttered the phrase Girl/Girl. I would just like to politely point out that the Planned Parenthood definition of Cisgender female is a person born female that identifies as a woman or girl. So if the term is somehow offensive, I certainly was not aware at the time.

Wow, this is really something. I was contacted unsolicited by a person who has disrespected me in the past unprovoked. The person made accusations and then threatened me. I responded to being attacked in my personal space my someone that is the spouse of the assistant commissioner. I was made aware of this petition by a member of your own community within the league who thought this was trashy wrong and a manhunt The person didnt want me to be blindsided; by this as it appears to have only been circulated to a certain group of people. Some people hear what they want to hear and I cant stop that. But I can tell you that I love this great umbrella that the league represents where everyone is welcome at my table. Proof of that was a couple of weeks ago in Chicago, I hosted a brunch that was attended primarily by womens and womens + players. I also had to pay $400 of the tab that wasn;t mine. I didnt complain, I didnt call people out, I just went on my way because people sometimes just dont think the same way I do. I for one would have never left someone holding the bag if you will. But that is life and life goes on. I also open my home during the holidays to feed people that may not have a place to go. My biggest regret is that I defended myself. But I also know that not defending myself would have led us right here because I know what comes of these things. A wise person recently said that the enemy is not within. We shouldnt be looking for people within our own community to consume. I am not your enemy nor have I ever been. Everyone of you is welcome at my table.

Please stop being messy, no one cares about your political agenda with this non-sense. Get off the cross, we need the wood, and quit imposing your gender identity and idiocy on others that simply just do not care!!! JUST STOP!!

I would actually sign this myself if this were true. To me, this is nothing more than people seeing what they want to see and hearing what they want to hear. Just so you know, I was made aware of this by someone with the trans community, that thought is was "wrong", "trashy", and a "manhunt". The person didn't want me to be blindsided as we have become friends over the past year and she actually took the time to get to know me. I wouldn't even know about this if not for that fact. I was contacted unsolicited by someone I really don't know who made accusations, proclaimed to know my internal thoughts, and then threatened me with board action. This person has also disrespected me in the past with no provocation whatsoever. I'm not sure how most people respond to that but I for one defend myself especially since the person is the Asst Commissioner's spouse and no one has been transparent about that. You all may say what you wish but I have been fighting for you and other people that didn't have a voice for my entire adult life. I lead with my actions. I was there volunteering and giving knowledge. I will defend myself always because just look at this petition, it was being done in secrecy to only an exclusive group of people. I wasn't supposed to know about it but someone within your ranks thought is was so out of line that she knew that it was only right for me to be aware of it. I am not now, nor have I ever been your enemy. You may now dissect my words here and find disrespect if you want to. But none is intended. I was attacked, have been attacked for the past several years over an incident where no action was taken even though the person was on the board, board members where present, and there were many other witnesses. You are all welcome at my table. I love this great umbrella that this league represents. Good day to you all.

This is for all the people who can’t use their voice. This matters. WTNB matters. And inclusivity, above all else, matters. Thank you for your bravery, Coop. I would sign this a million times over.

This league is for everyone to be comfortable being themselves and this behavior/ commentary is not acceptable..

It’s also many players and a few referees

I just wanted to take this space to share my own experience and make clear my support for Cooper. I was at the skills clinic and heard Mark Henry’s comment. Even as a cisgender individual, I absolutely interpreted MH’s comment in the same way Cooper did. I even remarked to my wife, who also shared the same impression, that it is a shame he was leading that clinic. I noted that *thankfully* there was only one individual who was out with our group for the first time. That’s sad. The NFFLA is better and deserves to be represented better.

Bottom line for me: The league is founded on inclusivity and respect. A leader who discredits a basic code of conduct is not a leader.