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Upshaw hints at players strike, Pro Bowl future in limbo
By Scary Barry February 10, 2008 |
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HONOLULU--NFL Players Union chief Gene Upshaw had dropped a rather strong hint that the Players Association is not very happy with some of the new rules that first year commissioner Roger Goodell has instituted. such as no dance celebrations in the end zones, roughing penalties fines, large fines against improper uniforms, and fines and suspensions for off field conduct that were not agreed upon by the union. One of the latest issues brought up that has the players ire is the story of the Pro Bowl leaving Honolulu for another location that the players were hoping to keep since 1980. With the game contracted through next season in Honolulu the 2010 Pro Bowl could be scheduled before the Super Bowl and it also could be packaged with the Super Bowl in the same Super Bowl city site. Upshaw is not for the idea and neither are the players as they want the year after year sold out game to stay in Hawaii. Upshaw who was answering questions for the press regarding the Pro Bowl's future was asked if the Pro Bowl move was a bargaining chip in the labor negotiations? Upshaw simply said that over 80% of the players are in favor of keeping the game in Hawaii. The 20% surveyed who are against continuing the Pro Bowl in Hawaii or elsewhere stated that injuries after the regular and post season are a sticking point. Goodell said that 17 players who were scheduled to come to Hawaii opted out. Also the other cases brought by some of the players of the 20% ratio who want to end the game stated past cases of injuries in previous Pro Bowls such as the Saints Drew Brees who injured his non-throwing shoulder and in the 1980s Cardinals quarterback Neil Lomax suffered a Pro Bowl injury that took him out of the following season, In 1989 in his rookie season for the New England Patriots Robert Edwards ruined his knee in a flag football game as part of the Pro Bowl activities when Edwards knee collided with the bench. For some of the players who want to keep the game here Browns quarterback Derek Anderson said, "I love Hawaii, I don't know if I'd if I'd want to be in Detroit this time of year to play in the game”. Upshaw basically hinted that the Pro Bowl location issue, the discipline language the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and how free agency and arbitration for players are set up will have to be discussed. The NFL Players have hinted at a Players strike for the 2010 season and have set the stage for 2009 as the time for negotiations. One thing looks for certain if Goodell moves the Pro Bowl from Honolulu the players look united in boycotting the game. Scary Barry is at the 2008 Pro Bowl and is covering his fourth Pro Bowl of his broadcast career. |
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