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The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) announced today that attorney DeMaurice Smith has been named the new National Football League Players Association Executive Director. NFLPA Player Representatives, acting on behalf of the 32 NFL teams, selected Mr. Smith to succeed the late Gene Upshaw, who died in August. Mr. Smith becomes only the third Executive Director in NFLPA history and will serve a three-year term. He made the following statement regarding his new assignment:

“I’m humbled by their decision. I’m honored and proud to lead a great group of men. I think we understand the challenges that face us but we also understand the strength of our unity.”

The search for the new Executive Director began shortly after Mr. Upshaw’s death, when Acting Executive Director Richard Berthelsen, NFLPA President Kevin Mawae (Tennessee), and Executive Committee members Domonique Foxworth (Baltimore), Tony Richardson (New York Jets), Jeff Saturday (Indianapolis), Mike Vrabel (Kansas City) and Donovin Darius, were appointed to the Search Committee. Reilly Partners, an executive search firm based out of Chicago, was then hired to assist the Committee in its search. The NFLPA’s constitution requires that the Executive Director be elected by a majority of the members of the Board of Player Representatives. Mr. Smith was unanimously elected to the position.

Mr. Smith was selected from among three other finalists for the Executive Director position: former NFLPA Presidents Trace Armstrong and Troy Vincent and sports attorney David Cornwell. The four finalists were given the opportunity to speak directly to the 70 Player Representatives and Alternates in attendance during hour-long presentations on Saturday. They then met with Player Reps in smaller break-out sessions this morning before the official election took place in the afternoon. NFLPA President Kevin Mawae also made the following statement regarding today’s announcement:

“The Board of Player Representatives made a decision today that will chart the course of this organization. This decision is a legacy decision. It is one that will unify and strengthen the National Football League Players Association.”

Here’s a quick bio on Mr. Smith. He’s a trial lawyer and litigation partner at D.C. law firm Patton Boggs. He has defended individuals in high profile criminal cases and Congressional investigations while also representing Fortune 500 companies in criminal and complex civil cases, compliance matters, and internal investigations. He’s a former assistant U.S. attorney and previously served as counsel to then Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder in the U.S. Department of Justice. He graduated from Cedarville University and received his law degree from the University of Virginia. Mr. Smith is married with two children and will begin his term with the NFLPA immediately.

Source: NFLPlayers.com, Photo: Newscom

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DeMaurice Smith Named NFLPA Director

Here is the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Starters are listed in bold.

OFFENSE

QB: Peyton Manning, Colts; Brett Favre, Jets; Jay Cutler, Broncos
RB: Thomas Jones, Jets; Chris Johnson, Titans; Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
FB: Le’Ron McClain, Ravens
WR: Andre Johnson, Texans; Brandon Marshall, Broncos; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Patriots
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs; Antonio Gates, Chargers
T: Joe Thomas, Browns; Jason Peters, Bills; Michael Roos, Titans
G: Alan Faneca, Jets; Kris Dielman, Chargers; Brian Waters, Chiefs
C: Kevin Mawae, Titans; Nick Mangold, Jets

DEFENSE

DE: Mario Williams, Texans; Dwight Freeney, Colts; Robert Mathis, Colts
DT: Albert Haynesworth, Titans; Kris Jenkins, Jets; Shaun Rogers, Browns
OLB: James Harrison, Steelers; Joey Porter, Dolphins; Terrell Suggs, Ravens
MLB: Ray Lewis, Ravens; James Farrior, Steelers
CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders; Cortland Finnegan, Titans; Darrelle Revis, Jets
S: Ed Reed, Ravens; Troy Polamalu, Steelers; Chris Hope, Titans

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Stephan Gostkowski, Patriots
P: Shane Lechler, Raiders
KR: Leon Washington, Jets
ST: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens

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2009 AFC Pro Bowl Roster

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

A year after Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor’s death, NFL players are still living scared. And with good reason. There’s an interesting article in the 11.24 Dec 01 2008 ESPN Magazine that features seven current NFL players discussing their own concerns and experiences with crime and the issue of safety in their own lives — Clinton Portis, Ben Roethlisberger, Dunta Robinson, Kevin Mawae, Derrick Brooks, Branden Albert and Fred Taylor. In the “special report,” ESPN senior writer David Fleming writes:

“When asked about their fears, players cite the same frightening flashpoints: New Year’s Day 2007, when Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams was shot and killed outside a Denver nightclub while riding in his limo; November 2007, when Taylor was murdered; June 2008, when Oakland receiver Javon Walker was robbed and beaten unconscious near the Vegas strip; and September 2008, when Jaguars lineman Richard Collier was paralyzed and had to have his leg amputated above the knee after he was shot 14 times in what police say was a retaliatory shooting.”

Two things really stood out to me in this report and both were related to the issue of vulnerability. Denver Broncos security chief Dave Abrams said he fears for players’ families, as in kidnapping for ransom. And Fred Taylor pointed out that would-be criminals know athletes can’t have guns with them at the team facility — not even in the parking lot. So players are even more of a target between where they work and where they live.

NFL players are targets. They’re in the public eye so they’re easy to find. And it’s well known they have money. Lots of money. So, it’s not uncommon for an NFL player to live in a gated community with an elaborate security system. Or to own a gun. Or to hire a bodyguard. At just about every NFL event I’ve been to, players are accompanied by one or more guys who look like bodyguards. It’s all about protection and safety. And sadly, there seems to be less and less of it. Sure, NFL players (and people in general) need to be smart about where and when they are. But even at home — as was the case with Sean Taylor — the issue of safety is a major concern now more than ever.

Source: ESPNtheMag.com

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NFL Players Are Still Living Scared

In a post from June 27, I was talking about the “conversation” I attended with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell — specifically the topic of rookie salaries. Well, here are some points to keep in mind regarding the contention that high rookie contracts are good for NFL veterans because they drive veteran contracts higher:

• It’s not true that exorbitant rookie salaries benefit the veterans as a group. It can’t be, not in a capped system.
• In a capped system, there is a defined amount of money in the system. It’s one pie and a zero-sum game (win-lose, not win-win). Every additional dollar going to an unproven rookie means one less dollar going to veterans.
• High rookie contracts may drive high contracts for a select group of elite veterans — the stars. But if that’s true, it’s the rank-and-file veterans that lose out. If an additional dollar going to an unproven rookie drives another dollar to an elite player, that means two dollars less going to rank-and-file veterans.
• And, if a rookie receives an enormous amount of guaranteed money in the form of signing bonus and does not produce on the field, it’s even worse. That money goes completely out of the system. It is with a player not producing anything on the field.

Veterans like Kevin Mawae (NFLPA president) recognize this and have stated so publicly. It’s the same problem that exists with players that breach their contracts and are able to keep bonus money — like Michael Vick. The money goes out of the system instead of being available to be paid to top, proven veterans. The term used by clubs to refer to guaranteed money paid to players that have washed out or don’t produce is “dead money.” That money is not available to pay to players that are actually contributing. It’s money that is not doing anything to contribute to the quality of the game. Bottom line — rookie contracts need to be reworked.

Source: NFL Media

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Key Points on NFL Rookie Pay

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Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae was elected president of the NFL Players Association today. As a 14-year veteran and someone who has been on the union’s executive committee for the past six years, Kevin’s a great choice. He’ll replace Troy Vincent, whose term recently ended and who last played for the Buffalo Bills before retiring. Kevin called his election by the player representatives an honor with serious issues looming, referring to the the collective bargaining agreement:

“The players are well informed of the potential cancellation of the CBA by the owners. They are committed to doing what it takes to preserve our game ….. That is of most importance, because the players need to know what they are facing and also how to react. In the end, it goes back to educating players of our past, how we’ve accomplished what we’ve gotten and having a plan for taking care of our business.”

The union also elected Domonique Foxworth of Denver, Drew Brees of New Orleans and Mike Vrabel of New England as new members of the executive committee. Re-elected were: Brian Dawkins (Philadelphia), Jeff Saturday (Indianapolis), Mark Bruener (Houston), Tony Richardson (Jets), Kevin Carter (Tampa Bay), Keenan McCardell (free agent) and Donovin Darius (free agent).

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Kevin Mawae Named NFLPA President