The Landry Hat » nflpa decertification

Did Jerry Jones Actions Lead To NFLPA Decertification?

Josh Sanchez — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:17:00 +0000

As more details come out from the meetings between NFL owners and the NFL Players Association, it appears that some intimidation and scare tactics employed by owners may have led to the union decertification. One particular incident involves Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Jones had a face-to-face meeting with the players on March 2 and delivered a very strong message.

“I don’t think we’ve got your attention,” Jones said, according to a report by Sports Illustrated’s Jim Trotter. “You clearly don’t understand what we’re saying, and we’re not hearing what you’re saying. So I guess we’re going to have to show you to get your attention.”

The report then states that Jones tapped his two fists together before standing up and walking out. The players in attendance apparently interpreted that as a sign that the lockout was coming.

If the report is true, it is obvious why the two sides could not come together. Egos were too big and talks could not even be helped by a mediator. We’ll just have to wait and see how this plays out in the courts.

Tashard Choice Is Proud Of NFLPA’s Decertification

Josh Sanchez — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:41:48 +0000

The NFLPA no longer is serving as the player’s union. It applied for decertification at 5:02 pm ET — or 4 pm ET, depending on who’s time you’re following. The move comes after DeMaurice Smith said “significant differences continue to remain.”

Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware and Bradie James are the three Cowboys union representatives, but none of the players have spoken out about the current developments. One current Cowboys player did speak out on the move to decertify and he is proud of the decision.

“Gotta do what you gotta do that’s what I know,” running back Tashard Choice said on his Twitter account. “Proud of the nflpa. It’s always about money, sad but true.

“Just in case some of [you] say why I said I was proud of the nflpa is because they want a fair deal not because it won’t be football. Sorry fans for this dispute but hopefully a deal gets worked out and we can play football cause 2011 will be a big year.”

No one knows exactly what is the next move in the ongoing saga, but one thing is for sure… this is going to get interesting.

Letter From NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell To The Fans

Josh Sanchez — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:15:47 +0000

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has sent out a letter to the fans to discuss the latest turn of events in the search for a new collective bargaining agreement. Goodell gives some details on the NFL’s offer to the NFLPA and vows to continue working towards a new deal. Here is the letter from Roger Goodell to the fans:

Dear NFL Fan,

When I wrote to you last on behalf of the NFL, we promised you that we would work tirelessly to find a collectively bargained solution to our differences with the players’ union. Subsequent to that letter to you, we agreed that the fastest way to a fair agreement was for everyone to work together through a mediation process. For the last three weeks I have personally attended every session of mediation, which is a process our clubs sincerely believe in.

Unfortunately, I have to tell you that earlier today the players’ union walked away from mediation and collective bargaining and has initiated litigation against the clubs. In an effort to get a fair agreement now, our clubs offered a deal today that, among other things, was designed to have no adverse financial impact on veteran players in the early years, and would have met the players’ financial demands in the latter years of the agreement.
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