NFLPA: The Reformists

The National Football League Players Association has been around since 1956 and is there to help the players with labor negotiations. In addition, they help protect the rights of a player, ensures that the terms of the collective bargaining agreement are being upheld, monitors player’s benefits for life after football, and substantiates a player’s image. The union became the official bargaining agent in 1968 and they helped establish a new CBA in 2011 after the lockout. 2011 was also the year that the NFLPA turned over a new leaf and became the united front they are today.

The NFLPA is led by Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, Assistant Director of External Affairs George Atallah, President Eric Winston, and the Executive Committee. The EC includes Adam Vinatieri, Benjamin Watson, Lorenzo Alexander, Mark Herzlich, Matt Hasselbeck, Richard Sherman, Ryan Wendell, Shaun Suisham, Thomas Davis, and Zak DeOssie. Together this team works together to tackle issues that are brought to them by the players.

In 2011, Charlie Batch helped open their eyes to players being more than collateral damage in the violent sport. He got them to understand that their long-term health is not worth sacrificing for the short-term glory. Executive Committee member Alexander expanded on if the union resisted Batch’s radical statements.

Alexander stated insightfully, “I don’t think it was a resistance I think naturally people are used to doing things that they’re just comfortable with.”

The 2017 Pro Bowl MVP noted that over the last four or five years, since signing the new CBA, the NFLPA has been trying to educate guys. They have emphasized the importance of treating their bodies like the temples they are. A player playing with injuries affects his family if he injures himself even more. It helps to have star players tell their coaches they cannot play because an injury is too severe. If Ben Roethlisberger voices his injury to Mike Tomlin, he is making it okay for everyone in the locker room to sit out if the pain of their injury is intolerable. That helps change the ideology of playing hurt.

Alexander was encouraged to join the Executive Committee as he earned respect from players around the league, those same players pushing him to do so, and people in the media. Joining the EC gave Alexander the opportunity to fight for his brothers and he values having the platform to lead them. He started off as someone who was a locker room leader to becoming an aficionado for the union on complex issues.

“They [the union] brought me down to rent meetings [CBA negotiations] especially leading up to the lockout,” said Alexander. “Then eventually becoming a rep and digging in a little bit more and knowing the history.”

Knowing the history of the NFLPA only helps the current union make sure they move in the right direction on issues. It is important for players to speak on matters that may be permeating within them or the organization they play for. Lorenzo knows that guys are initially hesitant because they do not want to be the only one with a particular gripe. However, he has come to find out that usually 100 or 200 players have the same issue on their mind.

The union is comprised of great out of box thinkers according to Alexander. They have helped shape a new outlook on player safety and has helped push back the start of a season for players like Alexander. The added month to his offseason has given him more time to spend with his family, work toward his degree, and do externships. It has helped increase the longevity of his career as well and keeps his legs fresh. He had a career high 76 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and an interception. As a result, he became a Pro-Bowler. All of these things are possible because the players spoke up and helped make a change.

Alexander is a proud member of the EC and loves the direction they are heading in with Smith as the quarterback of their team. He described Smith as a visionary because of how proactive he is. Smith wants the union to be ahead of the curve because the owners are always ahead of the curve. The union versus Roger Goodell and the owners is a chess match. Being the mastermind that he is, Smith helps the union stay prepared and united. They continue to push the boundaries of player safety, examine the travel ban imposed by Donald Trump, and be weary of the Chicago Bears situation with the Illinois bill. They are willing to stand with the cheerleaders of the NFL to fight for the compensation they deserve if need be. The NFLPA learns from other companies, NASA, on how to overcome stalemates and resolve problems.

Alexander said, “It’s a great relationship between players, EC, our staff, and De as far as going in the same direction.”

The NFLPA has re-invented itself since 2011 and is a new team of reformists that is willing to stand together and fight for what they believe is right. This is a group best described as proactive, progressive, and player-oriented. They want to make sure their players are getting as much out of the game of football as football gets out of them.

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