2017 NFL Week 5: You get a season ending injury and you get a season ending injury!

**Moss** · 2017-10-10 12:24

I have to hope the NFLPA would stand up to that

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**Krandor** · 2017-10-10 12:31

And do what? It's pretty clear at this point that the NFLPA has zero power or leverage when it comes to well... anything.

**Cail** · 2017-10-10 12:35

To: Chief Executives/ Club Presidents
From: Commissioner Goodell
Date: October 10, 2017
Re: Fall Meeting/National Anthem
We live in a country that can feel very divided. Sports, and especially the NFL, brings people together and lets them set aside those divisions, at least for a few hours. The current dispute over the National Anthem is threatening to erode the unifying power of our game, and is now dividing us, and our players, from many fans across the country.
I’m very proud of our players and owners who have done the hard work over the past year to listen, understand and attempt to address the underlying issues within their communities. At our September committee meetings, we heard directly from several players about why these issues are so important to them and how we can support their work. And last week, we met with the leadership of the NFLPA and more players to advance the dialogue.
Like many of our fans, we believe that everyone should stand for the National Anthem. It is an important moment in our game. We want to honor our flag and our country, and our fans expect that of us. We also care deeply about our players and respect their opinions and concerns about critical social issues. The controversy over the Anthem is a barrier to having honest conversations and making real progress on the underlying issues. We need to move past this controversy, and we want to do that together with our players.
Building on many discussions with clubs and players, we have worked to develop a plan that we will review with you at next week’s League meeting. This would include such elements as an in-season platform to promote the work of our players on these core issues, and that will help to promote positive change in our country. We want to ensure that any work at the League level is consistent with the work that each club is doing in its own community, and that we dedicate a platform that can enable these initiatives to succeed. Additionally, we will continue the unprecedented dialogue with our players.
I expect and look forward to a full and open discussion of these issues when we meet next week in New York. Everyone involved in the game needs to come together on a path forward to continue to be a force for good within our communities, protect the game, and preserve our relationship with fans throughout the country. The NFL is at its best when we ourselves are unified. In that spirit, let’s resolve that next week we will meet this challenge in a unified and positive way.

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**Moss** · 2017-10-10 12:51

Originally Posted by Krandor

And do what? It's pretty clear at this point that the NFLPA has zero power or leverage when it comes to well... anything.

They have power and leverage when it comes time to negotiate the next CBA, although that's a few years away.

I wouldn't think the NFL is allowed to pass new rules affecting the players unilaterally

**tyven** · 2017-10-10 13:02

Dick Sherman was right when he said players need to be willing to strike

**Rhyis.** · 2017-10-10 13:06

Jerry started the ball rolling.

Tbh the NFL should've done this way earlier. Players using NFL broadcasting as a platform to send a political message the league itself isn't promoting doesn't make sense.
Let the players get politically active on their own time, like the ones that actually care about causes already do.

**tyven** · 2017-10-10 13:07

Originally Posted by Rhyis.

Jerry started the ball rolling.

Tbh the NFL should've done this way earlier. Players using NFL broadcasting as a platform to send a political message the league itself isn't promoting doesn't make sense.
Let the players get politically active on their own time, like the ones that actually care about causes already do.

clearly its just a matter of visibility, aside from kaepernick and shawn merriman's coat drive idk what a single player does. looks like thats what they plan to address from that letter.

**Boyiee** · 2017-10-10 13:21

I don't understand why they are still kneeling.

You brought attention to your issue, you had a successful peaceful protest with a message that rippled throughout the country in both positive and negative ways but in the end got your message out and into everyone's view.

What's your next step? Sitting every week at this point does not accomplish anything towards your goal. The lines are open, start your dialogues, take it to the next step, donate or do something. Communicate. Your protest was successful so get to the next point.

**Krandor** · 2017-10-10 13:23

Originally Posted by tyven

Dick Sherman was right when he said players need to be willing to strike

They won't tho. The majority of the NFL is only in for a few years, they can't afford to have paychecks taken away. And unlike the other major sports, there no reasonably sized alternate league to play for. The Richard Shermans of the world would be fine to strike, but the no name players making up the bulk of the rosters are not, and would eventually force the PA to give in.

If the NFLPA had even an ounce of leverage they would have never agreed to the current situation of Goodell as God Emperor of player discipline, but they don't, and thus here we are.

**tyven** · 2017-10-10 13:38

Originally Posted by Krandor

They won't tho. The majority of the NFL is only in for a few years, they can't afford to have paychecks taken away. And unlike the other major sports, there no reasonably sized alternate league to play for. The Richard Shermans of the world would be fine to strike, but the no name players making up the bulk of the rosters are not, and would eventually force the PA to give in.

If the NFLPA had even an ounce of leverage they would have never agreed to the current situation of Goodell as God Emperor of player discipline, but they don't, and thus here we are.

thats why its such a predicament! If they were willing to strike the no-namers would prob make more money but the no-namers also can't give up the money. I mean technically they could cuz owners would crumble after a year. but whatever.

**tyven** · 2017-10-10 13:38