In Washington, no rivalry is mores strenuously fought than that between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys. Nonetheless, last week Lonnie Sanders, Jr., of the Washington Redskins (ret.) and Mark Washington of the Dallas Cowboys (ret.) came together at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to express their strong, common support for FCC employees’ participation in the Combined Federal Campaign for charitable giving.
Both Sanders and Washington were star professional football players. After retiring from football, both went on to have amazing further careers.
Here’s a paragraph from Sanders’ biography:
In later years, Mr. Sanders formed the Jackson & Sanders Construction Company which focused on the rehabilitation of inner-city homes. He acquired his District of Columbia Real Estate Broker’s License and served on the DC Board of Real Estate Equalization and Review. He also served on the DC Board of Rehabilitation (transitioning incarcerated individuals back into society). Through L. Sanders, Inc., he procured and shipped food products to the U.S. Department of Defense troop feeding centers. He owns C&S Trading, LLC, an investment vehicle which exports grain and grain products (also serving as a consultant for like entities), and is a partner in the soon to be developed Southwest Waterfront.
Here’s a paragraph from Washington’s biography:
Upon retirement [from football] in 1980, he embarked on a 20+ year career in various technical sales and marketing positions with E.I. DuPont de Nemours in their Electronic Materials Division, followed by employment with Condea Vista Chemical Company. He successfully conducted business throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Japan. Later as his interest shifted to the on-line services industry, he served as the National Account Manager for a start-up online recruitment advertising firm, and later held a similar position with the American Chemical Society. Most recently, he has served as the President of the Washington DC Chapter of the National Football League Retired Players for the past four years.
Few communications industry leaders have as impressive a record of achievements as do Sanders and Washington. But they can follow Sanders and Washington’s lead by sitting down together and agreeing on important issues before the FCC.