NFP»News»Hot News and Rumors
RSS

Smith Prepared For War

News Wire

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This March 16, 2009, 02:50 PM EST
5 Comments

From David Elfin of The Washington Times:

DeMaurice Smith, the new head of the NFLPA, spoke with reporters today in a conference call.

Smith, a D.C.-based attorney, was elected late Sunday night as the fourth executive director in the history of the players union. He succeeds Gene Upshaw, who died in August.

Among the highlights:

* On the league's labor situation: "There isn't a day where I don't hope for peace, but at the same time there isn't a day where we don't prepare for war."

* On providing financial assistance to the league's former players: "We all have a moral obligation to them. We want them to be part of our team. The men around this table understand that."

* On the game in the current economimc climate: "The men who play this game know about sacrifice, they know about honor, they know about duty. This game is bigger than them. There are people in America who rely on those game-day checks -- the people who park the cars, who work in concessions, the people who support this game in each and every way. I dont want a lockout for our men and for those people who need those eight paychecks every year."

Comments

Add a Comment
JohnNdallas
Mar 16, 2009
03:17 PM

It's a real possibility, er, it's highly likely there will be a lock out in 2010.

Millionaires fighting Millionaires.....

Considering the state of the world economy, I find this disgusting!

gbjoe
Mar 16, 2009
03:41 PM

I COULDNT AGREE MORE JOHN PEOPLE LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK TO STRUGGLE TO PAY THEIR MORTGAGE AND OTHER OBVIOUS BILLS AND THEN YOU HAVE THESE MILLIONAIRES WANTING MORE AND MORE. BASEBALL AND BASKETBALL ARE THE WORST WITH THE GUARANTEED CONTRACTS. FOOTBALL THE TOUGHEST SPORT DOSENT HAVE THAT ONLY THE SIGNING BONUSES ARE GUARANTEED. IF WE HAVE A LOCKOUT I HOPE THE OWNERS STAND TOUGH AND MAKE THE PLAYERS SETTLE FOR WHAT THE OWNERS WANT TO PAY THEM. CAN YOU IMAGINE AT YOUR JOB DEMANDING MORE MONEY ,THEY WOULD TELL ME DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE ASS ON THE WAY OUT. NOW ADAYS WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE JOBS AT ALL AND THESE GREEDY SPORTS FIGURES HOLD OUT ECT. FOR MORE MONEY IT IS DISGUSTING

SJGMoney
Mar 16, 2009
03:51 PM

Already showing a lack of tact and preparedness. His "war" comment was probably more throwaway than anything else but look at the headline on this News Wire story.

Chad
Mar 16, 2009
03:59 PM

Very well played. The eventual lockout won't be about millionaire players vs billionaire owners, but how the meanie owners are stealing bread from the mouths of woebegone parking lot attendants.

gbjoe
Mar 16, 2009
06:04 PM

good point chad. how stupid do they think the fans are.

Next 1 - 5 of 5 Prev COMMENTS

Add a Comment

* Required - Keep track of your comments Login or Register with NFP
(will not be published)