NFL, NFLPA Have Differing Opinion On Equipment Proposal

The NFL's brief one-day spring owners meeting is today in Atlanta, with another dust-up brewing between the league and the players’ union. The NFL league office proposed that all players be required to wear shoulder, hip and knee pads during games, but have since dropped the knee and thigh pads requirement. The owners could vote on the revised proposal today. But the NFLPA is reportedly threatening to file a grievance under the CBA if the owners approve. In a tweet last night, NFLPA Assistant Exec Dir of External Affairs George Atallah wrote, “Whether we are talking about helmets, pads, or any other equipment, data & research must support changes and they can't be made in isolation.”

The league office proposal is the latest in the league's on-field health and safety initiatives. There is also a proposal to move the trade deadline to the eighth week of the season from the sixth. There are also expected to be several stadium lease issues discussed. Falcons Owner Arthur Blank last night hosted the owners at his home at a pre-meeting reception.