Two weeks after Sports Illustrated ran an engrossing, exhaustive profile on Roger Goodell, NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith gets his turn this week.
In many ways, this feels like a political campaign. Both sides want equal time and coverage. Heck, it’s very possible the union pushed for Smith’s personal story to get out in the interest of fairness.
Jim Trotter’s story is well worth a complete read regardless of how it came about.
The image of Smith as a tough guy that doesn’t back down is prevalent in the piece. His family history is fascinating and the title of the article is called “The Fighter.” While Smith says he knows concessions will have to be made, this strain of pugnaciousness isn’t so different than some of Peter King’s descriptions of Goodell’s background.
Frankly, that doesn’t make this football fan feel especially warm. The two men are working closely together for the first time and their relationship didn’t get off to a great start initially.
A window into Smith’s way of thinking can be seen in the collusion case filed against the NFL. Trotter reports that Goodell urged Smith not to go forward with the case. Smith asked if certain concessions regarding the lockout could be made if he dropped the claim.
In Smith’s words, he was “poking the elephant” to see what reaction he’d get. Goodell asked for 30 days to consult with owners, but ultimately came back with no concessions.
That lack of progress has been typical and perhaps predictable so far in negotiations. Smith keeps some of former NFLPA head Gene Upshaw’s words nearby to guide him through choppy waters. One of his Upshaw’s phrases Smith cites: “The owners will always take short-term loss for long-term gain.”
No matter what pleas we hear pressing for a deal, it sure sounds like both sides are gearing up for a long fight.
