Domonique Foxworth was credited, by owners and players alike, as a critical element to achieving deal terms and ending the NFL lockout. Along with Colts Center Jeff Saturday, Foxworth receives the perfect attendance award for participating in every one of approximately sixty bargaining sessions through the entire process. This gave him leave to offer up a little good humor during the joint announcement delivered before NFLPA headquarters just moments after a settlement had been reached.
As the last of the speakers, Domonique stood before the mic after Saturday gave a touching tribute to Myra Kraft who died only days before, ending in a hug with her husband Bob Kraft. A tough act to follow Foxworth concurred with Saturday’s sentiments and took an opportunity to thank his own wife “I think the biggest thing that I needed to say [is that I have] a great deal of appreciation for my wife, who is taking care of our eight-month old daughter and studying for the bar [exam] at the same time to allow me to be here.”
Not to be completely overshadowed, he comically added, “Other than that, I think they just put me up here for eye candy. Because obviously, I am more attractive than anyone else who has been up here…” While his comment brought laughter from the audience it also brought a disapproving look from NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith prompting an add-on “and I just like pissing De [Smith] off as much as possible.”
After his moment in the spotlight, ProPlayerInsiders’ Melissa Stedler got more details from Foxworth about his thoughts on the bargaining process and what we can expect going forward.
He opened by explaining what it’s like now that the lockout is over. “It feels fantastic, it was a long time coming and I can remember several occasions where I felt like this deal wasn’t going to get done but we fought through and came up with creative ideas and strategies to overcome those obstacles.”
One of the regular statements to come out of the players’ side was that they were working towards making the right deal not just any deal. This had many aspects and Foxworth shared some of the most important aspects of the ten-year agreement that was finally reached.
“It’s to everyone’s benefit to have a long-term agreement. It gives a little more security and it allows us to shop our product better and build a little more trust from our fans which is important. There were a number of areas that were important for us to make gains and the biggest one is health and safety.”
Foxworth added, “We understood to make those gains we were going to have to move in other areas and not move too substantially to affect our guys in a negative way so we definitely made some adjustments to the way the financial system works, to a way that we’re comfortable with and the owners get some benefit out of also.”
With regards to moving forward Foxworth understands the no-nonsense nature of his business, “I don’t think we need to speak in hyperbole when it comes to football, it is football. It is what America loves and we know that everyone shuts down every Sunday, it’s church and football essentially and we expect to keep giving people what they want.”
While this viewpoint may be true the lockout damaged a relationship with the NFL fan base, damage that must be repaired. “I think the next step of getting things back to normal and rebuilding with the fans is just getting things back to normal. When we’re out there practicing, that will be one step and we’re not going to win all our fans back in one day.”
He maintains confidence with regards to the rebuilding process because of the seductive power that is NFL football. “What we do know is that we have a good product and when we get that product out on the field it’s hard for people to turn away and not look at all the excitement and want be a part of it. We just trust in our product and depend on our guys to keep putting the best sports, the gold standard of sports in America, back out on the field.”
Foxworth’s confidence extends beyond the game in general and to his team in particular “I definitely wore the [Baltimore Ravens'] purple tie because I was excited about getting back to work and I think we have a tremendous team and I think we’re still in our Super Bowl window as far as I’m concerned.”
After missing last season, due to a torn ACL, Foxworth is ready to put his rehabilitated knee to the test. “We’re [the Ravens] going to make a really good push and I’m feeling healthy and ready to get back to contributing.”
After his hiatus, we’re going to see if the eye candy performs on the field in 2011 as well as he did off the field, which is a tough act to follow.
