Seeing as how he has been retired for two years, James Harrison doesn’t have a vote or formal say in the latest NFL collective bargaining agreement proposal. But as someone who was outspoken in his dislike for the previous terms between the league and its union, Harrison expressed a strong opinion against the proposed new one.
In a message posted to his verified Twitter account Thursday, the former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker took aim at NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and said the league’s offer to the union “shouldn’t have even been on the table!”
The @NFLPA has the WORST leadership under @DeSmithNFLPA! The same person who gave us that terrible deal in 2011 (@steelers voted no) just tried the same thing in 2020! This deal shouldn't have even been on the table! Do what's best for the players or go work for the @NFL! https://t.co/l4jCLTZfUu
— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) February 27, 2020
“The NFLPA has the WORST leadership under (Smith)!” Harrison wrote while quote-tweeting the NFLPA’s social-media announcement that its board of representatives sent the owners’ offer to full player membership for a vote. “The same person who gave us that terrible deal in 2011 (Steelers voted no) just tried the same thing in 2020! This deal shouldn’t have even been on the table! Do what’s best for the players or go work for the NFL!”
Harrison long was one of the harshest critics of the CBA that is set to expire next March. The league and its players ratified it after a summer lockout in 2011; the Steelers were the lone team whose players voted against its ratification.
The primary reason, as expressed over the ensuing years, was that Harrison and other Steelers did not like the powers given to commissioner Roger Goodell in regards to disciplining players.
It has been reported that the proposed new agreement weakens Goodell’s say in such matters. A third party would handle suspensions and fines — but Goodell would still be involved, particularly if players appealed.
ICYMI: @MaurkicePouncey is not exactly thrilled about the proposed CBA. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/PiH1zD9GnH
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) February 26, 2020
Several veteran players have come out against the proposed labor agreement, including Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey. Pouncey ranted over it during a social-media post Wednesday.
Prominent players Aaron Rodgers, Richard Sherman, J.J. Watt and others have come out publicly against this proposal’s ratification. But some players have responded to counter those criticisms and have defended parts of the deal, including veteran Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.
I appreciate everyone’s opinion but i can’t cry wolf about voluntary workouts.
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) February 27, 2020
Harrison long has feuded with the NFL and Goodell, dating back to being fined for hits that in his era were borderline-legal.
The Steelers’ union player representative, Ramon Foster, has been active on social media, discussing the proposed CBA. While he has not overtly endorsed it as strongly as those who have condemned it, Foster has at times defended its terms against those who have been critical.
“If you can’t tell…I’m really passionate about the best thing for our guys,” Foster wrote in a message posted to his verified Twitter account. “Being a rep is something I take personally. It’s a thankless job and I enjoy it. I signed up for this. I love this and all our guys who agree or don’t. But I’m all about being unified.”
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