Former Player Examines How NFL Player Reps Are Elected
Posted March 11th, 2009 by RetiredPlayers
Ross Tucker played six years in the NFL and now writes for Sports Illustrated
Former player Ross Tucker, who played six years in the NFL, is now a writer for SportsIllustrated.com. In his latest article, Tucker examines the flawed method of how the NFL’s 32 player representatives are elected. The player reps are the only people who have a vote in choosing the NFLPA’s next Executive Director. According to Tucker, reps are often voted in based upon their popularity in the locker room as opposed to any substantial campaign platform. In fact, Tucker says that when he was nominated to serve as a player rep he wasn’t allowed to present his platform to his teammates. The article indicates some player reps are more interested in an all-expense paid vacation to Hawaii than serving the NFLPA’s membership. He suggests the NFLPA’s annual meeting be moved from Hawaii to Wichita, Kansas.
To read Ross Tucker’s article click HERE.
Tucker says that it is critical for current and former players to unite behind the new NFLPA leader…hasn’t he been reading the news? None of the candidates has indicated that he plans to unite them. Tucker doesn’t endorse any candidate, but indicates a former player would be best suited. Former player Armstrong testified against retired players in the class action. Former player Vincent was NFLPA president when the Congressional hearings were spotlighting the problems with health and disability that retired players face, and he was silent. Gene Upshaw’s ultimate legacy may be that he so alienated the retirees and created such short-sighted interests in active players that “critical unity” is impossible to achieve.