DeMaurice Smith Says Relationship With Roger Goodell ‘Fine’

As the NFL and its players trade sound bytes sniping about disciplinary procedures, union chief DeMaurice Smith says his relationship with the commissioner is “fine.”

Usually, there has to be an expiring or expired collective bargaining agreement involved to get this much sniping between the NFL Players Association and the National Football League.

But commissioner Roger Goodell’s Ouija board approach to determining if and how much to punish players for off-the-field transgressions has opened up a whole new round of sound bytes being fired back and forth.

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NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and union president Eric Winston spoke with Jenny Vrentas of MMQB to talk about the less-than-placid atmosphere between the players and Goodell.

A key part of the issue, according to Smith, is that the union has not been allowed a voice in the creation of the league’s new personal conduct policy.

The indefinite suspension of Ray Rice and the recent six-game suspension of Adrian Peterson continue to keep the issue in the spotlight.

"“The league’s refusal to engage in collective bargaining has meant that we necessarily have not had any role in crafting the new personal conduct policy,” Smith said. “We have had three meetings. But if the league takes the position that they don’t want to collectively bargain about it, then I don’t think you can say the union has been involved in fashioning a new personal conduct policy.”"

Smith did say his relationship with Goodell is not a problem.

"“My relationship with Roger is fine,” Smith said. “His relationship with the players is not. That’s all I’ve got on that one.”"

Smith says there are two things that could bridge the widening gap between the players and the league office.

"“One, collectively bargain the right process,” Smith said. “And No. 2, I think our players need their commissioner—our players need Roger—to visit every one of our locker rooms and explain what is going on.”"

Winston said the players just want to know what is going on.

"“There is a growing discontent,” Winston said. “There is a strong questioning. There is confusion and then the anger sets in and then [they ask], ‘What is he doing?’ All we have ever heard is we have to protect the integrity of the shield. I think guys are starting to ask themselves now, how can we protect the integrity of the shield if you are not going to act with any integrity?”"

When so much attention is being paid to what is coming out of 345 Park Avenue (the NFL corporate office), less is paid to what happens on the field.

And that’s bad for all sides.

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NFLPA Boss DeMaurice Smith Says Relationship With Roger Goodell ‘Fine’

By Phil Watson | Nov 21, 2014

As the NFL and its players trade sound bytes sniping about disciplinary procedures, union chief DeMaurice Smith says his relationship with the commissioner is “fine.”

More from FanSided