Cornwell Still Could Make Ballot For NFLPA Exec Dir Election

David Cornwell Was Eliminated From Consideration In January

LAW IN ORDER: In DC, Mark Maske reports while some believe that Vincent has "secured enough votes to be elected," the selection process has been "marked by controversy and internal bickering, and others say there's a chance Smith could emerge with the job as a compromise candidate." Smith, speaking publicly about his candidacy for the first time, said that he was "told he was targeted in the union's search in part because he was an outsider who could bring in new ideas." Smith: "What I told the players the first time I met them was if I didn't think that I was both incredibly prepared to do this job or the right person to do this job, I wouldn't be here. ... But this opportunity was one of those things that, for the pastors that come from the other side of my family, they call their march to their profession a calling." Smith knows that if he wins the election, he "first would be judged on what sort of labor deal he negotiates." Smith said that as a result, when he became a candidate he "organized a team of approximately 15 advisers and wrote a business plan for the union entitled, 'Playbook: An Enterprise Philosophy to Maximize the Business and Political Interest of the NFLPA.'" Smith thinks that he "actually might have an advantage in the NFL's labor negotiations entering the process as an outsider." Meanwhile, Smith also praised late NFLPA Exec Dir Gene Upshaw, noting that the union had "'extremely strong and vibrant leadership' under him." However, Smith noted that there are "things the organization can do better, adding that current players have 'a moral obligation' to provide properly for retired players" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/4).

Print This Article