NFL lockout: Player representatives vote to recommend labor deal
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The player representatives from all 32 NFL teams have voted unanimously to recommend the new 10-year labor deal to their teammates. The league’s 1,900 players are expected to vote later Monday or Tuesday to accept the deal, which would end the lockout. On the players’ ballot will be two issues: whether to approve the deal and whether to re-form the players union. Both votes are considered formalities.
NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith stepped outside of the group’s headquarters in Washington to announce that player representatives approved the pact.
“I know it has been a very long process since the day we stood here that night in March,” Smith said. “But our guys stood together when nobody thought we would. And football is back because of it.”
As he spoke, Smith was flanked by NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Colts center Jeff Saturday and Ravens defensive back Domonique Foxworth, key members of the players’ negotiating team.
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--Sam Farmer
The Associated Press contributed to this report.