National Football League Players Association

The establishment of the National Football League in 1920 featured early franchises haphazardly formed and often saddled with financial difficulties, poor player talent and attendance rates.{{cite news|title=The Town That Hated Pro Football|url=http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=rochster|work=The Coffin Corner|author=Carroll, Bob|year=1981|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060319230728/http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=rochster|archive-date=March 19, 2006|access-date=August 11, 2012}} As the league expanded through the years, players were provided with no formal representation and received few, if any, benefits.{{cite web|title=History of the NFLPA, Part 1 |url=https://nflpa.com/about/history |publisher=National Football League Players Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204220612/http://www.nflplayers.com/articles/cba-news/history-of-the-nflpa-part-1/ |archive-date=December 4, 2010 |access-date=December 28, 2014 |url-status=dead }} In 1943, Roy Zimmerman's refusal to play an exhibition game without compensation resulted in his trade from the Washington Redskins to the Philadelphia Eagles.{{sfn|Algeo|pp=85, 105–106}} With the formation of the competing All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1946, NFL owners instituted a rule which banned a player for five years from NFL-associated employment if he left the league to join the AAFC.{{cite news|title=Sports of The Times; N.F.L.'s Labor Pioneer Remains Unknown|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/02/sports/sports-of-the-times-nfl-s-labor-pioneer-remains-unknown.html?src=pm|work=The New York Times|author=Rhoden, William C.|date=October 2, 1994|access-date=January 12, 2012}}

Bill Radovich, an offensive lineman, was one player who "jumped" leagues; he played for the Detroit Lions in 1945 and then joined the Los Angeles Dons of the AAFC after the team offered him a greater salary. Subsequently, Radovich was blacklisted by the NFL and was denied a tryout with the NFL-affiliated San Francisco Seals baseball team of the Pacific Coast League. Unable to attain a job in either league, Radovich filed a lawsuit against the NFL in 1956. The case, Radovich v. National Football League, {{ussc|352|445|1957}}, made its way to the United States Supreme Court in January 1957, with the court ruling that the NFL constituted a business under American antitrust law and did not enjoy the same immunity accorded to Major League Baseball.Norman Van Brocklin, "Why a Players' Association is Necessary in Professional Football," Pro Football 1957. Los Angeles: Petersen Publishing Co., 1957; pp. 48-49. This ruling "set the foundation for a series of court battles" over compensation and employment conditions.{{cite news|title=Timeline of NFL labor disputes |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-03-03-nfl-labor-disputes-timeline_N.htm |work=USA Today |author=Bell, Jarrett |date=March 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206043017/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-03-03-nfl-labor-disputes-timeline_N.htm |archive-date=December 6, 2011 |access-date=September 26, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

The NFLPA began when two players from the Cleveland Browns, Abe Gibron and Dante Lavelli, approached a lawyer and former Notre Dame football player, Creighton Miller, to help form an association to advocate for the players.{{sfn|Coenen|p=181}} Miller was initially reluctant but accepted in 1956. He contacted Don Shula (a Baltimore Colts player at the time), Joe Schmidt of the Detroit Lions, Frank Gifford and Sam Huff of the New York Giants, and Norm Van Brocklin of the Los Angeles Rams to aid in the development of the association.{{cite news |title=John Gordy, 73, dies; former Detroit Lions lineman led NFL players' union |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-john-gordy1-2009feb01,0,917663.story |work=Los Angeles Times |author=Noland, Claire |date=February 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629001803/http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-john-gordy1-2009feb01,0,917663.story |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

By November 1956 a majority of the players signed cards allowing the NFLPA to represent them. Players for 11 of the 12 teams in the league voted to join the new association, with the Chicago Bears being the sole holdout.

An initial meeting was convened at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in November 1956 where players decided on demands to be submitted to league commissioner Bert Bell. One particularly sore point involved the lack of compensation for training camp and preseason exhibition games; while owners charged admission and benefitted from a lucrative series of preseason games, no contract payment was made until a player made a regular season roster.{{sfn|Ratterman with Deindorfer|pp=46–47}}{{sfn|Kinter and U.S. House Committee|p=2592}} Players would work for up to eight weeks, risking season- or career-ending injury without pay.

The new association's initial agenda also included a league-wide minimum salary, plus a per diem when teams were on the road, a requirement that uniforms and equipment be paid for and maintained at the clubs' expense, and continued payment of salaries when players were injured. The NFLPA hoped to meet with Bell during the owners' meeting in January 1957 to discuss the demands; however, no meeting took place.

The owners, for their part, were immediately antagonistic to the concept of a players' union — a position epitomized when Miller, then an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns, was removed from the team's annual photo at the insistence of head coach and general manager Paul Brown.{{cite news|title=Sports of The Times; The 'Erased' Labor Leader|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/26/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-erased-labor-leader.html|work=The New York Times|author=Anderson, Dave|date=September 2, 1982|access-date=October 5, 2012}} {{subscription required}} Miller and other union founders were taken aback by Paul Brown's staunch view that "it was both just and necessary that management could cut, trade, bench, blackball, and own in perpetuity anyone and everyone that it wanted".{{sfn|Piascik|p=268}}

Miller continued to represent the NFLPA in their early days.{{cite news|title=Creighton Miller, 79, Lawyer And Notre Dame Halfback|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/29/sports/creighton-miller-79-lawyer-and-notre-dame-halfback.html|work=The New York Times|author=Goldstein, Richard|date=May 29, 2002|access-date=October 12, 2008}} Unable to win the owners' attention by forming the union, the NFLPA threatened to bring an antitrust lawsuit against the league. The antitrust laws are meant to protect "free and fair competition in the marketplace" and prohibit practices that may give industries or businesses an unfair advantage over their competitors.{{cite web|title=About the Division: Antitrust Division Mission |url=https://www.justice.gov/atr/about/mission.html |publisher=United States Department of Justice |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007221802/http://www.justice.gov/atr/about/mission.html |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |access-date=October 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Rather than face another lawsuit, the owners agreed to a league minimum salary of $5,000, $50 for each exhibition game played, and medical and hospital coverage.{{cite web|title=History|url=https://www.nflplayers.com/about-us/History/|publisher=NFL Players Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011092613/http://www.nflplayers.com/About-us/History/|archive-date=October 11, 2010|access-date=October 2, 2011}} Although most of the NFLPA's requests were met, the owners did not enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the association or formally recognize it as the players' exclusive bargaining representative, instead agreeing to change the standard player contract and alter governing documents to reflect the deal.{{sfn|Oriard|p=57}}

From the inception of the NFLPA, its members were divided over whether it should act as a professional association or a union. Against the wishes of NFLPA presidents Pete Retzlaff and Bernie Parrish, Miller ran the association as a "'grievance committee'" rather than engaging in collective bargaining.{{sfn|Oriard|p=57}} The standard collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a contract between organized workers and management that determines the wages and hours worked by employees and can also determine the scope of one's work and what benefits employees receive.{{cite web|title=How Collective Bargaining Agreements Work |url=http://money.howstuffworks.com/collective-bargaining-agreement.htm |publisher=HowStuffWorks |author=Roos, Dave |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024031637/http://money.howstuffworks.com/collective-bargaining-agreement.htm |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The association continued to use the threat of antitrust litigation over the next few years as a lever to gain better benefits, including a pension plan and health insurance.

In the 1960s the NFL also faced competition from the new American Football League (AFL).{{cite news|title=From upstart to big time, how the AFL changed the NFL |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-06-14-sw-afl-cover_N.htm |work=USA Today |author=Bell, Jarrett |date=June 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205005857/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-06-14-sw-afl-cover_N.htm |archive-date=December 5, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead }} NFL players viewed the new league as potential leverage for them to improve their contracts. The NFL tried to discourage this idea by changing the owner-controlled pension plan to add a provision saying that a player would lose his pension if he went to another league.

On January 14, 1964, players in the newer league formed the AFL Players Association, and elected linebacker Tom Addison of the Boston Patriots as president.{{cite news|title=Players in A.F.L. Form Own Union; Owners to Get Proposals for Pensions, Medical Plan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/16/archives/players-in-afl-form-own-union-owners-to-get-proposals-for-pensions.html|work=The New York Times|date=January 15, 1964|access-date=September 27, 2011}} {{subscription required}} Rather than working with the AFLPA, the NFLPA chose to remain apart and tried to block the merger between the two leagues in 1966, though lack of funding prevented it from mounting a formal challenge. With the merger complete, the players could no longer use the leverage of being able to sign with an AFL team to attain more money.

Parrish, upset with the ineffectiveness of the association, proposed forming a players' union, that would be independent of the NFLPA, with the assistance of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). The IBT pushed for the NFLPA to join the trucking union.{{cite news|title=Officials of Pro Teams Wary Over the Plans for Union Ties|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/02/05/archives/officials-of-pro-teams-wary-over-the-plans-for-union-ties.html?sq=Officials+of+Pro+Teams+Wary+Over+the+Plans+for+Union+Ties&scp=1&st=p|work=The New York Times|author=McGowen, Deane|date=February 6, 1966|access-date=September 26, 2011}} {{subscription required}} In early November 1967, Parrish, with support from former Cleveland Browns player Jim Brown, began distributing union cards to form a Teamsters affiliate known as the American Federation of Pro Athletes.{{cite news|title=Jim Brown Carries Ball for Pro Union|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/11/10/archives/jim-brown-carries-ball-for-pro-union.html?sq=Jim+Brown+Carries+Ball+for+Pro+Union&scp=1&st=p|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.|date=November 10, 1967|access-date=September 26, 2011}} {{subscription required}} The NFLPA rejected the overture at its meeting in Hollywood, Florida, during the first week of January 1968 and declared itself an independent union.{{cite news|title=Pro Football Association Assumes Status of Independent Union; Bid By Teamsters Is Factor In Step|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/01/11/archives/pro-football-association-assumes-status-of-independent-union-bid-by.html?sq=Pro+Football+Association+Assumes+Status+of+Independent+Union&scp=1&st=p|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, William N.|date=January 11, 1968|access-date=September 26, 2011}} {{subscription required}} Although Parrish's proposal was defeated, Miller left his position as counsel to the union.{{sfn|Oriard|p=58}}{{sfn|Brown with Clary|p=250}} He was later replaced by two Chicago labor lawyers, Dan Schulman and Bernie Baum.

Six months after the NFLPA declared itself an independent union, many players were dissatisfied with the lack of compensation teams provided and voted to strike on July 3, 1968, after official discussions with the owners stalled. The owners countered by declaring a lockout.{{cite news|title=N.F.L. Players Reject Owners' Offer; Strike Favored By A 377-17 Vote Players Likely to Refuse to Report to Camp--Pension Issue Is Unresolved|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/07/03/archives/nfl-players-reject-owners-offer-strike-favored-by-a-37717-vote.html?scp=1&st=p|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, Williams N.|date=July 3, 1968|access-date=October 2, 2011}} {{subscription required}} By July 14, 1968, the brief work stoppage came to an end.{{cite news|title=Sports of The Times; The Players Won|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/07/17/archives/sports-of-the-times-the-players-won.html?scp=1&st=p|work=The New York Times|author=Wallace, Williams N.|date=July 17, 1968|access-date=October 2, 2011}} {{subscription required}} Although a CBA resulted, many players felt that the agreement did not net them as many benefits as they had hoped. The owners agreed to contribute about $1.5 million to the pension fund with minimum salaries of $9,000 for rookies, $10,000 for veterans and $50 per exhibition game; there was at yet no neutral arbitration for disputes.

As the merger of the AFL and NFL became effective in 1970, the unions agreed to meet for the first time in January of that year. The NFL players wanted Ed Meador—who was the president-elect of the NFLPA prior to the merger—to become president of the newly combined association while the AFL players wanted Jack Kemp.{{cite web|title=Where are they now: Eddie Meador |url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Where-are-they-now-Eddie-Meador.html |publisher=National Football Post |author=Crippen, Ken |date=September 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202092908/http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Where-are-they-now-Eddie-Meador.html |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=February 11, 2014 |url-status=dead }} The compromise was John Mackey of the Baltimore Colts, an NFL team before the merger, which was grouped with former AFL teams in the American Football Conference. The AFL players agreed to Mackey's election on the condition that former AFL player Alan Miller would become general counsel.{{cite web|title=History Highlights |url=http://www.colts.com/team/history.html |publisher=Indianapolis Colts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626065948/http://www.colts.com/team/history.html |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |access-date=August 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Though the NFL owners were open to recognizing the union, their representatives requested lawyers not be present during negotiations, something the players were unwilling to agree to. This prompted the players to petition the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for union certification.

The NFLPA voted to strike on July 3, 1970, after having filed an unfair labor practices charge with the NLRB the previous month.{{Cite news|date=July 4, 1970|title=Strike Vote for NFL|page=34|work=Daily News|publication-place=New York}} The strike ended on August 3, just in time to avoid cancellation of preseason games.{{Cite news|date=August 4, 1970|title=Pro Football Is at Peace and Kicking|page=55|author=Pepe, Phil|work=Daily News|publication-place=New York}} A new four-year CBA was reached after the owners threatened to cancel the season. With the new agreement, the union won the right for players to bargain through their own agents with the clubs, and minimum salaries were increased to $12,500 for rookies and $13,000 for veterans. Also, players' pensions were improved and dental care was added to the players' insurance plans. Players also gained the right to select representation on the league's retirement board and the right to impartial arbitration for injury grievances. Following the 1970 agreement, many union representatives were released by their teams. Unfazed, the players were determined to create a stronger union through better communication. Attorney Ed Garvey was hired by the NFLPA in 1971 to act as their first executive director, and the NFLPA became officially certified as a union by the NLRB the same year. Headquarters were established in Washington, D.C., and a campaign was launched to help inform players of their rights.

The NFLPA challenged the so-called "Rozelle Rule" as a violation of federal antitrust laws in a lawsuit filed by president John Mackey and allied union leaders in 1971.{{cite web|title=NFL labor history since 1968 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?page=nfl_labor_history |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=March 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111105327/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?page=nfl_labor_history |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |access-date=September 21, 2011 |url-status=live }} The rule, named after commissioner Pete Rozelle, allowed the commissioner to award compensation, which included players, to a team losing a free agent if both the signing team and the team the player was departing could not come to an agreement on compensation.{{cite web|title=543 F.2d 606: John Mackey et al., Appellees v. National Football League et al., Appellants |url=http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/543/543.F2d.606.76-1184.html |publisher=Public.Resource.org |date=November 23, 1976 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514194853/http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/543/543.F2d.606.76-1184.html |archive-date=May 14, 2010 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }} This rule limited player movement, as few teams were willing to sign high-profile free agents only to risk having their rosters raided.{{cite magazine|title=Scorecard |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1148087/index.htm |magazine=Sports Illustrated |author=Creamer, Robert W. |date=January 12, 1976 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717141740/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1148087/index.htm |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=January 12, 2012 |url-status=dead }} With the 1970 CBA agreement set to expire, the players went on strike on July 1, 1974. In addition to the "Rozelle Rule", the players demanded the elimination of the option clause, impartial arbitration of disputes, elimination of the draft and waiver system and individual, rather than uniform contracts. The strike did not stop the 1974 preseason from going forward; the NFL used all-rookie squads as replacement players to play out the preseason schedule until the strike was resolved.{{cite news |first=Mark L. |last=Ford |work=The Coffin Corner |publisher=Pro Football Researchers Association |title=25 Significant "Meaningless" NFL Games |volume=22 |issue=5 |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/22-05-865.pdf |date=2000 |access-date=January 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014211941/http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/22-05-865.pdf |archive-date=October 14, 2010 }} Note: The PFRA erroneously refers to this matchup as the last such contest.[https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/southside/article/Today-in-S-A-history-8385205.php Today in SA history] (July 16)

The strike lasted until August 10, 1974, when the players returned to training camp without a new CBA, instead choosing to pursue free agency through the Mackey lawsuit filed three years before.{{#tag:ref|Mackey v. NFL, 543 F.2d 606 (8th Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 801|group=N}} While the courts ruled in favor of the players in 1976, the union found that making progress in bargaining was more difficult to achieve. The Rozelle Rule was invalidated by the court which found it constituted a refusal to deal and was therefore in violation of the Sherman Act as it deterred franchises from signing free agents. However, the change did not achieve true free agency as compensation remained tied to draft picks that were awarded based on the salary of the departing free agent and teams still maintained a right of first refusal. The NFL and NFLPA agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement in March 1977 that ran until 1982.

The 1982 NFL strike began on Tuesday, September 21,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b_1LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=a_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6682%2C1202529|work=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |last=Walker |first=Ben |title=NFL players take hike without ball |date=September 21, 1982 |page=15}} and lasted 57 days, ending on November 16.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f78qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bfkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6701%2C590482 |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |last=Lowitt |first=Bruce |title=Union punts, kickoff Sunday |date=November 17, 1982 |page=C1}}{{cite news|title='82 strike changed salary dealings forever |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/comment/forbes/2001-06-08-forbes.htm |work=USA Today |author=Forbes, Gordon |date=June 8, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211082223/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/comment/forbes/2001-06-08-forbes.htm |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead }} During this time, no NFL games were played. The strike occurred because the union demanded that a wage scale based on percentage of gross revenues be implemented. The NFLPA wanted the percentage to be 55 percent, and according to the Los Angeles Times, this demand "dominated the negotiations."{{cite news|title=NFL Strike 1982: A History Lesson Not Learned |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-23-sp-6303-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |author=Wojciechowski, Gene |date=September 23, 1987 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406210218/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-09-23/sports/sp-6303_1_nfl-strike |archive-date=April 6, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=live }}

During the strike, the NFLPA promoted two "AFC–NFC 'all-star' games."{{cite web |title=Lengthy strike has mostly been forgotten |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=3030311 |publisher=ESPN |author=Pasquarelli, Len |date=September 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728163344/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=3030311 |archive-date=July 28, 2013 |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=live }} One was held at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on October 17,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VLMSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Y_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7258%2C207094 |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Few show for exhibition |date=October 18, 1982 |page=16}} and the second was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum a day later.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mFtOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Y_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3315%2C468056 |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title='All-stars' cheer Turner |date=October 19, 1982 |page=17}} One of the few stars who did play, future Hall of Fame running back John Riggins, explained "I guess I'll do just about anything for money." Despite a local TV blackout of WTBS and ticket prices starting at six dollars, neither game drew well; only 8,760 fans attended in Washington and 5,331 in Los Angeles. With no NFL games to air, CBS replayed the previous Super Bowl and aired Division III football; Pat Summerall and John Madden, for example, covered a game between Baldwin Wallace and Wittenberg. NBC acquired the rights to Canadian Football League games from ESPN, and both networks aired their respective games with NFL-like production values. However, the three CFL games NBC showed were all blowouts (by a total of 96 points) with poor ratings, and the network gave up.{{cite web|title=Every Game Was Terrible: The Year The CFL Failed To Conquer America |url=http://deadspin.com/every-game-was-terrible-the-year-the-cfl-failed-to-con-1476731855 |publisher=Deadspin |author=Cosentino, Dom |date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204134650/http://deadspin.com/every-game-was-terrible-the-year-the-cfl-failed-to-con-1476731855 |archive-date=December 4, 2014 |access-date=December 28, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

The 1982 strike ended with a players' revolt against their own union, as some members suggested that Garvey step down as executive director.{{cite news|title=Rams Vote 50-0: Ed Garvey Resign|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qwMhAAAAIBAJ&pg=1566%2C520363|work=The Day|date=January 4, 1983|access-date=September 27, 2011}} As a result of the strike, the season schedule was reduced from 16 games to 9 and the playoffs expanded the then-standard 10 to 16 teams (eight from each conference) for this one-season only "Super Bowl tournament."{{cite news|title=NFL Labor: History shows team unity during a work stoppage is harbinger of later success |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/nfl-labor-history-shows-team-unity-during-a-work-stoppage-is-harbinger-of-later-success-301921/ |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |author=Fittipaldo, Ray |date=March 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728145025/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/nfl-labor-history-shows-team-unity-during-a-work-stoppage-is-harbinger-of-later-success-301921/ |archive-date=July 28, 2013 |access-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }} A new five-year agreement was ratified, providing severance packages to players upon retirement, an increase in salaries and post-season pay, and bonuses based on the number of years of experience in the league. Additionally, the NFLPA was allowed to receive copies of all player contracts.{{cite web |title=History of the NFLPA, Part II |url=https://www.nflplayers.com/news.aspx?section=Articles&cat=Public-News&title=History-of-the-NFLPA-Part-II |publisher=National Football League Players Association |date=April 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121217162728/https://www.nflplayers.com/news.aspx?section=Articles&cat=Public-News&title=History-of-the-NFLPA-Part-II |archive-date=December 17, 2012 |access-date=December 25, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

In 1983, former Oakland Raider Gene Upshaw became the executive director of the NFLPA.{{cite news|title=Gene Upshaw, Union Chief, Dies at 63|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F01E7DE1F38F931A1575BC0A96E9C8B63&scp=1&sq=Upshaw+dies&styt|work=The New York Times|author=Battista, Judy|date=August 22, 2008|access-date=September 23, 2011}} During his tenure, he oversaw a player strike, several antitrust lawsuits, and the collective bargaining agreement of 1993.

{{Further|1987 NFL season}}

The NFLPA went on strike for a month in 1987 upon the expiration of the 1982 CBA; the league's free-agent policy was the major matter in dispute.{{cite web|title=NFL Lockout: History-1987 Strike |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/topics/_/page/nfl-labor-negotiations |publisher=ESPN |date=August 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123064017/http://espn.go.com/nfl/topics/_/page/nfl-labor-negotiations |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |access-date=July 16, 2012 |url-status=live }} This time, however, the strike only canceled one week of the season. For three weeks, the NFL staged games with hastily assembled replacement teams,{{cite web|title=NFL replacements part of history |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=6642330 |publisher=ESPN |author=Merrill, Elizabeth |date=June 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612225126/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6642330 |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=live }} made up principally of players cut during training camp and players left out of work from the closure of the United States Football League two years prior (along with, to a lesser extent, the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL), who had folded just three months prior to the strike). They were joined by a few veterans who crossed the picket lines, including New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Randy White, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, New England Patriots quarterback Doug Flutie, and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Steve Largent.

Given the willingness of the players to cross the picket lines and networks to broadcast the replacement games, despite a 20% drop in television viewership and even steeper drops in attendance, the union failed to achieve their demands. The strike ended on October 15, 1987, without a collective bargaining agreement in place.{{cite news|title=Five worst labor disputes in sports |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2011/0311/Five-worst-labor-disputes-in-sports/1987-NFL-Strike-Sept.-22-Oct.-15 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |author=Couch, Aaron |date=March 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903072629/http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2011/0311/Five-worst-labor-disputes-in-sports/1987-NFL-Strike-Sept.-22-Oct.-15 |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|title=NFL Players Strike: Day 23: Raiders: Hilger and 10 Other Players Cross Line, Go Back to Work |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-15-sp-14301-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |author=Roberts, Rich |date=October 15, 1987 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915202114/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-10-15/sports/sp-14301_1_nfl-players |archive-date=September 15, 2015 |access-date=September 14, 2012 |url-status=live }} The union filed a new antitrust lawsuit on December 30 asking federal judge David Doty to overturn the league's restricting free agent policies.

On November 1, 1989, the Court of Appeals rejected the suit on the grounds that the owners were covered by the labor exemption from antitrust law. The union's next tactic, in November 1989, was to disclaim any interest in representing NFL players in collective bargaining and to reform itself as a professional organization. Having done that, individual players, led by Freeman McNeil of the New York Jets, brought a new antitrust action, challenging the NFL's so-called "Plan B" free agency, which gave teams a right of first refusal to sign a player, as an unlawful practice under the antitrust acts.{{cite news|title=Freeman McNeil sees history repeating in NFL labor dispute |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-03-31-freeman-mcneil-nfl-labor_N.htm |work=USA Today |author=Bell, Jarrett |date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405071454/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-03-31-freeman-mcneil-nfl-labor_N.htm |archive-date=April 5, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

The players ultimately prevailed after a jury trial on their claims. That verdict, the pendency of other antitrust cases and the threat of a class action lawsuit filed by Reggie White, then with the Philadelphia Eagles, on behalf of all NFL players caused the parties to settle the antitrust cases and to agree on a formula that permitted free agency. In return, the owners received a salary cap, albeit one tied to a formula based on the players' share of total league revenues. The agreement also established a salary floor—minimum payrolls all teams were obliged to pay.{{cite web|title=CBA extension latest accomplishment for Upshaw |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2387218 |publisher=ESPN |author=Garber, Greg |date=August 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112074934/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2387218 |archive-date=November 12, 2012 |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=live }} The settlement was presented to and approved by Judge Doty, who had also heard the McNeil antitrust case in 1993. Once the agreement was approved, the NFLPA reconstituted itself as a labor union and entered into a new collective bargaining agreement with the league. The NFLPA and the league extended the 1993 agreement five times. The final extension came in March 2006 when it was extended through the 2010 season after the NFL owners voted 30–2 to accept the NFLPA's final proposal.

The NFLPA's Financial Registration Program was created in 2002 after a series of many investment schemes targeted at professional athletes. It aims to provide an extra layer of protection to athletes to protect them from fraud and poor advice, and provide players with advisors and agents who are pre-screened by the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nflpa.com/financial-advisors/faq|title=NFL Players Association - Financial Advisor Frequently Asked Questions|website=www.nflpa.com|access-date=November 29, 2019}}

Following the death of Gene Upshaw in 2008, Richard Berthelsen was named interim executive director, serving from August 2008 until March 2009.{{cite news|title=What's next for NFLPA? Sticking to Upshaw's plan |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-08-22-nflpa-analysis_N.htm |work=USA Today |author=Bell, Jarrett |date=August 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017080715/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-08-22-nflpa-analysis_N.htm |archive-date=October 17, 2008 |access-date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=dead }} The NFLPA Board of Representatives elected DeMaurice Smith for a three-year term as the executive director on March 16, 2009.{{cite web|title=Smith elected to head NFLPA |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3983760 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=March 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026131447/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3983760 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |access-date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=live }} Smith's contract was renewed for an additional three years in March 2012.{{cite web|title=NFLPA reaffirms Smith as executive director |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nflpa-reaffirms-smith-as-executive-director-09000d5d827c91cb |publisher=National Football League |author=Breer, Albert |date=March 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626001216/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d827c91cb/article/nflpa-reaffirms-smith-as-executive-director |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |access-date=July 16, 2012 |url-status=live }} He was elected for a third term in March 2015.{{cite news |title=DeMaurice Smith re-elected by NFLPA |last1=Winston |first1=Eric |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/12492072/demaurice-smith-re-elected-nflpa-executive-director |newspaper=ESPN |date=March 16, 2015 |access-date=June 16, 2015}} The major issue of Smith's tenure has been the 2011 lockout;{{cite magazine|title=His job's not done, but DeMaurice Smith has passed the test so far |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/07/26/demaurice-smith-grade/index.html |magazine=Sports Illustrated |author=King, Peter |date=July 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927051830/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/07/26/demaurice-smith-grade/index.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |access-date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=dead }} former offensive lineman Chester Pitts praised Smith for fiercely fighting for the players' rights during negotiations.{{cite web|title=Smith could bolt NFLPA if he's denied bonus he feels he has earned |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/16512843/smiths-nflpa-departure-isnt-imminent-but-union-head-could-bolt-if-denied-bonus |work=CBS Sports |author=Freeman, Mike |date=December 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402172438/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/16512843/smiths-nflpa-departure-isnt-imminent-but-union-head-could-bolt-if-denied-bonus |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|2011 NFL lockout}}

In May 2008, the owners decided to opt out of the 1993 arrangement, per the agreement with the players, with the termination to follow a year with no salary cap in 2010.{{cite web|title=NFL owners vote unanimously to opt out of labor deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3404596 |publisher=ESPN |author=Clayton, John |date=May 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201204737/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3404596 |archive-date=February 1, 2012 |access-date=September 23, 2011 |url-status=live }} By the CBA's expiration in March 2011, the NFLPA and the NFL had not yet come to terms on a new agreement. The owners were expected to lock out the players upon termination of the agreement. However, the NFLPA filed papers to decertify as a union on March 11, 2011, and filed an antitrust suit to enjoin the lockout with lead plaintiffs quarterbacks Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees.{{cite web|title=NFL owners lock out players |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/NFL-Players-Association-union-decertifies-labor-talks-owners-031111 |work=Fox Sports |author=Marvex, Alex |date=March 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814084913/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/NFL-Players-Association-union-decertifies-labor-talks-owners-031111 |archive-date=August 14, 2011 |access-date=March 11, 2011 |url-status=dead }} U.S. District Court judge Susan Richard Nelson granted the players' request to end the owners' lockout on April 25.{{cite news|title=Judge sides with players, tells NFL to end lockout |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/04/judge-sides-with-players-tells-nfl-to-end-lockout/1#.UG24nVGoXIV |work=USA Today |author=Leahy, Sean |date=April 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012025857/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/04/judge-sides-with-players-tells-nfl-to-end-lockout/1 |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The league asked Nelson to stay the order while they appealed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals; Nelson refused.{{cite news|title=Judge refuses to delay enforcing order to lift NFL lockout |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/nfl-players-ask-judge-to-enforce-end-of-lockout/2011/04/27/AF9Cj30E_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |author=Maske, Mark |date=April 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321142613/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/nfl-players-ask-judge-to-enforce-end-of-lockout/2011/04/27/AF9Cj30E_story.html |archive-date=March 21, 2012 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }} On April 29, the Eighth Circuit granted the league a temporary stay of Nelson's ruling; the league reinstated the lockout the same day.{{cite news|title=NFL Lockout Is Reinstated |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703567404576293823161700258 |work=The Wall Street Journal |author=Futterman, Matthew |date=April 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504031034/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703567404576293823161700258.html |archive-date=May 4, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The Eighth Circuit vacated Nelson's ruling on July 8, affirming the legitimacy of the lockout.{{cite web|title=NFL lockout: Eighth Circuit vacates lower court's injunction, legalizing lockout |url=http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/07/nfl_lockout_eighth_circuit_vac.html |publisher=NJ.com |author=The Associated Press |date=July 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022190415/http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/07/nfl_lockout_eighth_circuit_vac.html |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }} During the lockout, players were barred from using team facilities and contacting team coaches; many organized their own workout regimens.{{cite news|title=With NFL fields shuttered, players left to train on their own |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-03-15-players-traning_N.htm |work=USA Today |author=Corbett, Jim |date=March 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020150743/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-03-15-players-traning_N.htm |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

The parties settled the lawsuit on July 25, 2011, and a majority of players signed union authorization cards.{{cite web|title=Owners approve proposed labor deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/6791408/lockout-nfl-owners-approve-proposed-labor-agreement-await-vote-players |publisher=ESPN |date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929101756/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6791408/lockout-nfl-owners-approve-proposed-labor-agreement-await-vote-players |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |access-date=September 23, 2011 |url-status=live }} The NFL officially recognized the NFLPA's status as the players' collective bargaining representative on July 30, 2011.{{cite news|title=Report: NFLPA recertified as union |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/6818756/report-nfl-players-union-recertified-final-negotiations-nfl |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=July 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216145147/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6818756/report-nfl-players-union-recertified-final-negotiations-nfl |archive-date=December 16, 2011 |access-date=September 26, 2011 |url-status=live }} The NFL and NFLPA proceeded to negotiate terms for a new collective bargaining agreement, and the agreement became effective after ratification by the players August 4, 2011.{{cite news|title=As the Lockout Ends, the Scrambling Begins|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/26/sports/football/NFL-Union-Labor-Deal.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|work=The New York Times|author=Battista, Judy|date=July 25, 2011|access-date=September 23, 2011}} The agreement, which ran through 2021, stated that revenue sharing (the most contentious issue during the lockout) was re-designed so that the players must receive at least 47% of all revenue in salary for the term of the agreement. Additionally, a limit was placed on the amount of money given to rookies. $50,000,000 was set aside annually for medical research and approximately $1 billion would be set aside for retired player benefits over the life of the agreement.{{cite news|title=NFL, players announce new 10-year labor agreement |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/07/reports-nfl-players-agree-to-new-collective-bargaining-agreement/1 |work=USA Today |author=Davis, Nate |date=July 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126033652/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/07/reports-nfl-players-agree-to-new-collective-bargaining-agreement/1 |archive-date=November 26, 2011 |access-date=September 23, 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=The CBA in a nutshell |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/25/the-cba-in-a-nutshell/ |publisher=ProFootballTalk |author=Rosenthal, Gregg |date=July 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621190919/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/25/the-cba-in-a-nutshell/ |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |access-date=July 16, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=What new CBA means in football terms |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/6790759/what-new-nfl-cba-means-football-terms |publisher=ESPN |author=Clayton, John |date=July 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626065532/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6790759/what-new-nfl-cba-means-football-terms |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |access-date=July 16, 2012 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|New Orleans Saints bounty scandal}}

The NFLPA, on behalf of Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove, three players suspended due to the Bountygate investigation by the NFL, filed a lawsuit against the league. The investigation found that New Orleans Saints players were allegedly paid bonuses for hits that injured opposing players. The players' lawsuit claimed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell "had violated the league's labor agreement by showing he had pre-determined the guilt of the players punished in the bounty probe before serving as the arbitrator for their June 18 appeal hearing".{{cite web|title=NFLPA, Vilma Make More Legal Moves in Bounty Case |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/nflpa-files-suit-bounty-matter-16715791 |publisher=ABC News |author=Martel, Brett |date=July 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708171108/https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/nflpa-files-suit-bounty-matter-16715791 |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |access-date=July 16, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The suspensions were unanimously overturned by a three-member appeals panel; however, the ruling did not permanently void their suspensions.{{cite web|title=Bounty players' bans overturned |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8349080/sources-suspensions-jonathan-vilma-smith-scott-fujita-anthony-hargrove-overturned-arbitration-panel |publisher=ESPN |author=Schefter, Adam; Ed Werder and The Associated Press |date=September 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908050605/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8349080/sources-suspensions-jonathan-vilma-smith-scott-fujita-anthony-hargrove-overturned-arbitration-panel |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |access-date=September 12, 2012 |url-status=live }} The NFL appointed former commissioner Paul Tagliabue to review the NFL's sanctions against the players, which he overturned.{{cite web|title=Paul Tagliabue vacates penalties |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8736662/paul-tagliabue-vacates-new-orleans-players-bounty-penalties |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=December 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211212442/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8736662/paul-tagliabue-vacates-new-orleans-players-bounty-penalties |archive-date=December 11, 2012 |access-date=December 11, 2012 |url-status=live }}

The league and the NFLPA approved updated substance abuse and performance-enhancing substance policies in September 2014.{{cite news |title=NFL, NFLPA finalize new substance abuse policy |last1=Pelissero |first1=Tom |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/09/19/new-substance-abuse-policy-finalized-josh-gordon-nflpa-union/15769013/ |newspaper=USA Today |date=September 19, 2014 |access-date=June 19, 2015}} The regulations include human growth hormone testing and amended rules on DUIs and marijuana.{{cite news |title=NFL players vote to approve new drug policy |last1=Pelissero |first1=Tom |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/09/12/drug-policy-approved-vote-nflpa-union/15511717/ |newspaper=USA Today |date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=June 19, 2015}} Third-party arbitration will handle appeals. The deal lifted suspensions for some players the week it was approved. The NFL began testing players for HGH the next month.{{cite news |title=First year of HGH testing in NFL catches no one |last1=Schrotenboer |first1=Brent |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/02/02/hgh-testing-effectiveness-questioned-debated-facade/22715375/ |newspaper=USA Today |date=February 2, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2015}}

{{expand-section|date=July 2024}}

Lloyd Howell Jr. was named the new executive director of the association on June 23, 2023.{{cite news |last1=Belson |first1=Ken |title=Eyeing Expanding Revenue, N.F.L. Players Tap a Business Executive to Lead Their Union |work=The New York Times |date=June 28, 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/sports/football/lloyd-howell-demaurice-smith-nflpa.html |access-date=July 13, 2023}}

According to NFLPA's Department of Labor records since 2006, much of the union's membership are classified as "former players" and are not eligible to vote in the union, "because, as a matter of federal law, they cannot be members of the collective bargaining unit." The other, voting eligible, classifications are "active players" and "associate members".{{Cite OLMS|filenum=065-533}} {{As of|2023}}, these include 13,213 "former player members", 2,125 "active players", and 438 "associate members".{{Cite OLMS|filenum=065-533|rptId=868065|rptForm=LM2Form|date=May 26, 2023}} For comparison, in 2014 these figures were 3,130, 1,959, and 207 (respectively).{{Cite OLMS|filenum=065-533|rptId=556933|rptForm=LM2Form|date=May 29, 2014}}

The current president of the NFLPA is Jalen Reeves-Maybin and the executive director is Lloyd Howell Jr.[https://nflpa.com/about/nflpa-officers NFLPA Officers]". National Football League Players Association. Retrieved October 12, 2021. As of 2024, the executive committee consists of Oren Burks, Calais Campbell, Austin Ekeler, Thomas Hennessy, Cameron Heyward, Case Keenum, Ryan Kelly, Brandon McManus, and Thomas Morstead.{{cite web|url=https://www.nflpa.com/about/nflpa-officers|title=NFLPA Leadership|publisher=NFL Players Association|access-date=February 8, 2024}} Each NFL team also has a player representative, along with two to three alternate representatives.{{cite web|title=Board of Player Representatives|url=https://nflpa.com/about/nflpa-officers/board-of-player-reps|publisher=NFL Players Association|access-date=December 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229003144/https://nflpa.com/about/nflpa-officers/board-of-player-reps|archive-date=December 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}

• NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
• National Football League Players Incorporated

{{reflist|group=N}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|author=Alego, Matthew|title=Last Team Standing: How the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles—The "Steagles"—Saved Pro Football During World War II|publisher=Da Capo Press|location=Philadelphia, PA|year=2007|isbn=978-0-306-81576-8|ref={{sfnRef|Algeo}}}}
• {{cite book|author1=Brown, Paul |author2=Jack Clary |title=PB: The Paul Brown Story|publisher=Atheneum|location=New York, NY|year=1979|isbn=978-0-689-10985-0|ref={{sfnRef|Brown with Clary}}}}
• {{cite book|author=Coenen, Craig R.|title=From Sandlots to the Super Bowl: The National Football League, 1920-1967|publisher=University of Tennessee Press|location=Knoxville, TN|year=2005|isbn=978-1-57233-447-2|ref={{sfnRef|Coenen}}|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/fromsandlotstosu00coen}}
• {{cite book|author=Kinter, Earl; United States House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopoly |title=Organized Professional Team Sports: Part 3|publisher=United States Congress|year=1958|ref={{sfnRef|Kinter and U.S. House Committee}}}}
• {{cite book|author=Oriard, Michael|title=Brand NFL: Making and Selling America's Favorite Sport|publisher=The University of North Carolina Press|location=Chapel Hill, NC|year=2007|isbn=978-0-8078-3142-7|ref={{sfnRef|Oriard}}|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/brandnflmakingse00oria}}
• {{cite book|last=Piascik|first=Andy|year=2007|title=The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns|publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing|location=Lanham, MD|isbn=978-1-58979-571-6|ref={{sfnRef|Piascik}}}}
• {{cite book|author1=Ratterman, George |author2=Robert G. Deindorfer |title=Confessions of a Gypsy Quarterback: Inside the Wacky World of Pro Football|url=https://archive.org/details/confessionsofgyp0000ratt |url-access=registration |publisher=Coward-McCann|location=New York, NY|year=1962|ref={{sfnRef|Ratterman with Deindorfer}}}}

• [https://www.scribd.com/doc/12844840/1958-NFL-Players-Association-Meeting-Minutes 1958 NFL Players Association Meeting Minutes]
• [http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/FootballStudies/2001/FS0401d.pdf Conflict and Compromise: The Evolution of American Professional Football's Labour Relations 1957-1966] by Michael E. Lomax

• {{Official website}}

{{NFLPA executive directors}}

{{NFLPA presidents}}

{{NFL}}

{{AFL-CIO}}

{{North American major league sports player associations}}

{{Authority control}}

Players Association

Category:Labor relations in the United States

Players Association

Category:Trade unions established in 1956

Category:Sports trade unions of the United States

Category:1956 establishments in Washington, D.C.

Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C.

Category:AFL-CIO