NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith said that he would "give the union an A" on what it has done to "change exposure to head injuries," according to a Q&A with Domonique Foxworth of THE UNDEFEATED. Foxworth is a former NFLPA President. Excerpts are below, some of which have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: How do you think the union and the league together have advanced player safety?
Smith: The league has done a good job, not a great job, when it comes to research. And that’s the only reason I think that they have done a good job and not a great job, because they seem to be beleaguered every now and then with questions about the autonomy of their research. ... We are all better off if the league is transparent with their research initiatives.
Q: In light of the recent developments in the Ezekiel Elliott case, how do you feel about the union’s progress with regard to player discipline?
Smith: The two owners who vigorously opposed neutral arbitration were [Cowboys Owner] Jerry Jones and [Patriots Owner] Robert Kraft.
Q: With star players from both teams serving suspensions in the last couple of seasons, have they changed their positions now?
Smith: I felt that we had a deal with respect to appointing a neutral arbitrator who had some football experience. That deal got taken off the table. So we are left with the system that the league imposes. And what we’ve seen from everything from bounty (scandal) to Elliott is they can’t fairly operate their unfair system in a consistent way.
Q: You mentioned [NFL Exec VP/Football Operations] Troy Vincent -- does his union background allow you to have a better relationship with him than others in the league office?
Smith: I have a relationship with [NFL Commissioner] Roger Goodell. I don’t think it’s important for me to have a good relationship with anybody other than Roger and the owners.
Q: What is your personal perspective on the anthem demonstrations? And what has been the union’s role with regard to anthem demonstrations?
Smith: With respect to the protest, I think Roger has done a very good job of being responsive to the voices of the players that have met with him and owners. I think he’s done a good job of facilitating those discussions. ... He has done a good job being responsive to those players who are looking for the systemic involvement of the league and the teams in working with players to address social issues and injustice issues in their community (THEUNDEFEATED.com, 11/17).
