Feb 5, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NFLPA executive vice president DeMaurice Smith before Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith has issued a statement to players around the league about the current NFL referee lockout. Smith takes a strong stance and makes a statement that the players need to be concerned about their safety which is being jeopardized by the replacement referees.
Smith does have a point but at this point it is looking like we won’t get a resolution on the lockout anytime soon. Until then, here is the full text of Smith’s statement for your reading pleasure:
"The decision by the NFL owners to lockout the referees jeopardizes your health and safety. This decision to remove over 1,500 years of collective experience has simply made the workplace less safe.It is the NFL’s duty to provide a workplace that is as safe as possible. The League will want fans, the media and sponsors to talk only about ‘the product’ on the field. We are not product.While the focus today is about a blown call and the outcome of one football game, our focus as a family of players is and will remain squarely on workplace safety.Contrary to some reports, we are not crossing any picket line. The referees are not on strike. The Owners locked them out.We are actively reviewing any and all possible actions to protect you."