National Football League

NFL labor updates from March 21-27

Published Mar. 3, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Saturday

NFLPA 'disrespectful' in retiree meeting — 3:50 p.m.

The lines of communication between the two largest advocates for retired NFL players probably won't stay open for long.

For the first time since both took office, the executive directors for the NFL Players Association (DeMaurice Smith) and NFL Alumni Association (George Martin) met earlier this week at the former's annual meeting in Marco Island, Fla. But while Martin claimed Friday on Sirius NFL Radio that positive developments came from the session, he painted a far more negative picture privately. Full story

Doping expert supports HGH blood test — 2:50 p.m.

One of the world's leading experts on performance-enhancing substances in sports said NFL players have no excuses when it comes to consent for human growth hormone testing.

Dr. Gary Wadler, who has worked closely with both the World Anti-Doping Agency and White House Office of Natural Drug Control Policy, lauded the league's decision to make HGH testing mandatory as part of its labor proposal to the NFL Players Association. Wadler also said any protests from athletes about the blood work required to conduct the test "border on the nonsensical." Full story

Friday

Browns fan sues over NFL lockout — 1:41 p.m.

A Cleveland Browns fan sued the National Football league and its teams over the player lockout, claiming it violated his contract to buy tickets through his personal seat license.

Ken Lanci, a self-made millionaire who ran unsuccessfully last year for the top county government job in Cleveland, filed the lawsuit Thursday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Full story

THURSDAY

NFL wants players tested for HGH — 6:01 p.m.

Human growth hormone testing is coming for all NFL players if the league has its way in labor negotiations.

NFL vice president and general counsel Adolpho Birch told FOXSports.com on Thursday that the league is insistent upon HGH testing when a new collective bargaining agreement is reached with the NFL Players Association. Full story

WEDNESDAY

Cowboys fined after players illegally meet with Ryan — 6:16 p.m.

The Cowboys are part of a group of four teams that have been fined for having coaches and players interact during a dead period. Full story

Flutie, ex-stars recall 18-game season — 3:01 p.m.

Doug Flutie remembers feeling how his arm was ready to fall off during his one year in the USFL. Nate Newton recalls how he did nothing for an entire month after playing his two USFL 18-game regular seasons.

And former CFL quarterback Danny McManus can still see the telltale signs of blurry-eyed fatigue that set in on rookies when Week 13 rolled around in Canada with five games still left to play. Full story

TUESDAY

NFL not planning on replacement players — 6:56 p.m.

When it comes to the NFL, Roger Goodell knows there's nothing like the real thing.

Although the NFL commissioner didn't completely dismiss the idea of using replacement players in 2011, Goodell indicated Tuesday that the league has no plans of doing so even if the current labor impasse extends into the regular season. Full story

MONDAY

League asks judge to wait on ruling — 7:15 p.m.

The NFL's legal jousting with the NFL Players Association continued Monday.

The league has petitioned a Minnesota district judge to wait before she considers ruling on a preliminary injunction that would lift the NFL lockout.

The initial hearing on a 10-player lawsuit alleging NFL antitrust violations is scheduled for April 6 by Judge Susan Nelson. The lawsuit asks for an end to the lockout that was imposed March 11 when the collective bargaining agreement expired and the NFLPA filed for decertification as a union. Full story

Retiree benefits big issue in labor drama — 10:17 a.m.

Not everyone is buying the NFL Players Association's "One Team" pitch to reflect unity during NFL labor talks.

In fact, there is enough of a divide to create an entire league of advocacy groups fighting for the rights of retired players.

While current players have stayed close-knit during the first 10 days of an NFL lockout, some of their predecessors aren't on board. Despite efforts to form stronger bonds with retirees, the NFLPA faces a daunting — and likely impossible — task trying to create a unified front that will satisfy all alumni. Full story