DC-based attorney Cyrus Mehri, bidding for NFLPA Exec Dir, will "hold his first town hall meeting with NFL players" tonight in Dallas, according to Charean Williams of PRO FOOTBALL TALK. It is "part of his attempt to win over players in his challenge" to NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith. Mehri said, "Every day we’re going to be fighting for players to have a choice, and to be able to determine their own destiny. There’s so much at stake in this election, because whoever wins gets to decide the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. Having a choice really matters when you can compare visions and platforms." Mehri "insists he can get a fairer CBA without a work stoppage through consistent communication" with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the owners (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 9/12). In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington notes Mehri has 25 years of experience in labor and was a "driving force behind the 'Rooney Rule.'" He also has the "chops for such a tricky job." Mehri wants to "provide players a weekly social issues forum that educates instead of dividing." He plans to "implement something called an 'owner accountability campaign.'" Mehri said, "It puts all the pressure on management and will not require players to miss a single game. This gives the players leverage." Mehri's supporters include Pro Football HOFers Jim Brown, Kellen Winslow Sr., Harry Carson, Joe Greene and Fritz Pollard Alliance Chair John Wooten. Wooten said, "The NFLPA sets the tone for what the players should be about and what the league should be about. This man, Cyrus Mehri ... is the key to what we've accomplished and the key to what we're asking" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/12).
