The game continue between the NFLPA and NFL. That said, NFL draft prospects are deciding on whether or not to boycott the annual draft this April. It was reported earlier this week that the players group, formerly known as the NFLPA, suggested that prospects should opt out of attending the draft and gather with union members in NYC at a different location instead.
This tactic may be to instill fear in the prospects that they may be considered traitors by other players in the union if they did attend the draft. While the players are currently locked out by the owners, these college players with huge aspirations were excited about having their Kodak moment holding up a jersey standing next to Commissioner Roger Goodell.
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Currently there is no official union since they disbanded after talks stalled last week so technically there is no union to betray. In the meantime, the group of over 1,000 players have joined in a class action lawsuit to seek an injunction against the action of the owners.
One player expected to go high in the draft, LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, told media on Monday:
“That’s a big moment to go up there and shake the commissioner’s hand and get that jersey and hat. It means a lot. I definitely want to go and no one has told me not to go.”
Former athletes joined the parade of those who agreed with Peterson. In a poll conducted by ESPN Sports Nation more than 70% of respondents didn’t think it was fair to ask prospects to stay away from the draft.
With that much disapproval in the air, NFLPA exec George Atallah said Tuesday on Twitter that it was a mere “suggestion”. He went onto say, “Let me also correct the record: the NFLPA is not asking anyone to ‘boycott’ anything. NFL Draft in particular.”
After the parties hit a brick wall and stopped negotiating it led to the lock out vs. antitrust law suit. Since then the public has been split on who they support.
It was selfish to even “suggest” for draft prospects to help the NFL players humiliate the league by having Goodell stand alone on the stage naming the first round picks.
Used with permission of the author.
Paula Duffy is a national sports columnist for Examiner.com and the Huffington Post and regularly comments on sports/legal matters for radio affiliates of ESPN and Fox Sports. She founded the sports information site, Incidental Contact, is the author of a line of audio books designed for sports novices and in her spare time practices law in Los Angeles.
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