DeMaurice Smith is ready for war. NFLPA vowes to fight Bounty Gate punishments

Written by  //  May 2, 2012  //  News, NFL  //  1 Comment

Settle in folks this is about to be a really ugly ride. The NFLPA has decided to go to war with the league over their suspensions of Jonathan Vilma, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith and Scott Fujita.

“After seeing the NFL’s decision letters, the NFLPA has still not received any detailed or specific evidence from the league of these specific players’ involvement in an alleged pay-to-injure program. We have made it clear that punishment without evidence is not fair. We have spoken with our players and their representatives and we will vigorously protect and pursue all options on their behalf.”

This was signed DeMaurice Smith, NFL Players Association Executive Director

Now, if you can flash back to last year’s CBA nightmare, you will recall Mr. Smith is/was the gentleman who at times“ appeared” to stand in the way of progress during those negotiations.

He came across as a grandstander that basked in the attention of the moment and now he has another cause he can sink his teeth into.

99.9% of the time I side with NFLPA. This is that one time where I can’t. This is that occasion when the cold hard facts of the matter override all.

In a way, I suppose you could say I’m still siding with the players.

When you’re wrong, you’re wrong and Mr. Smith’s crusade for a loop hole demeans the group as a whole.

Gentlemen, let’s keep it above board. The evidence is in the multitude of statements that have been presented by the players themselves.

These go beyond the sour grapes of the alleged prime targets.  These are the men that suit up and go to war with and against these players and more than a few of them have said their peace.

Mr. Smith does their testimony not count as “detailed and specific evidence?”

You see, this is an internal matter for the players and by the players. This is not the situation to get your Johnny Cochran on and fight for a way to get around what’s right.

What is actually at stake here? None of these players are going to miss a meal because of this. If so, it’s their own fault.

Is this Smith’s way of reminding the league that the NFLPA will fight them at every turn over anything? Is it a power play to prove once and for all who holds the sword over the mighty shield?

This is not about the protection of rights. This is about the balance of power.

Wisdom will sacrificed for a chance at victory here and the fans will be subjected to the entire bloody affair.

Twitt

About the Author

Adrian Glover is Players View's Editor-In-Chief. He has spent his days as a newspaper columnist,magazine editor, freelance writer and as somebody's father. Follow him on Twitter at @playersview. Email him:adriangregoryglover@gmail.com

View all posts by

  • William

    Mr. Comissioner, Mr. and Ms. Senator, Mr. and Ms. Attorney Generals.

    I have been a football fan for over 40 years. I, the fan(s) represent a large percentage of how the NFL makes money.

    Please take note that if someone paid money to another person or group of people to do great bodily harm to another human being and the task was done by this person or group of people. Then the laws of our states and our nation is clear, the person that put up the money would be prosecuted, the person who performed the physical assault and accepted the money would be prosecuted, and likely sued by those who were assaulted; and since this is a business and the management arm of the business knew it was happening, and encouraged it, then they would also be prosecuted in a court of law.

    1.) I would like to know why none of the players who did the damage or injury to other players have not being punished?

    2.) I would like to know why the Attorney Generals and or the Senate does nothing to punish the people who have severely tarnished the game of football.

    We have Senate hearings on doping, and gambling in sports and have prosecuted people for laws that were broken. This is worse than doping and gambling, this is intentional assault and battery for profit. What they have done is like paying a hitman to take someone out.

    A professional football players career is very short and what was done to intentionally injure players and get paid for it, is aggregious and takes away from the “SPORT€” of football. A sport which is already inherently violent and rough.

    I completely agree with paying for incentives for defensive players and even players on offense. I can see paying extra for interceptions, tackles, tackles for loss, quarterback sacks, forced fumbles, fumbles recovered, ect… This is good management and incentive to do a good job. It is not paying to intentionally injure someone and put them out of the game.

    When I watch football and I see a great play made, a great tackle, a professional athlete doing his job by the rules of the game. Then I stand and cheer. When I see a player lying on the ground injured I feel empathy for that player. When I hear that a team, it’s management, and it’s players are purposely causing great bodily harm and assault on another player for profit or at the direction of their management it just make me sick.

    It is the responsibility of each NFL owner and management representative to do what ever is possible to see that each and every player is kept safe from harm to the best of their ability. That is why they have rules and improved equipment. Fair Play should be paramount. Tens of millions of children, teenagers, and adults watch football and expect it to be played equally fair by every team and player.
    I just would like to see outside intervention instead of the NFL business doing the investigation and handing out the punishment. The NFL is just covering their behinds for upcoming law suits. This will help restore the reputation of the NFL as a whole.

%d bloggers like this: