I didn't say knowing people in the NFL (or NBA or any other league) would make a difference in somebody making it... but they have more pull in entertainment than the average person cuz that's their profession, so it would be a lot easier for Chris Webber to turn in a demo tape to somebody than your average rapper, or get you into the club to holler at somebody... put it this way: it may not help at all, but it couldn't hurt.
Obviously all entertainment is business, and even if I know Russell Simmons closely, he may or may not want to fuck with me on a business level.. that's plain and simple..
Do you work for the Chargers? How do you know them?..