Drew Brees: Punished for Sticking by his Union? (reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year)

http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Other-News/Drew-Brees-Punished-for-Sticking-by-his-Union

07/06/2012

Jackie Tortora

NFL players are arguably the most high-profile union members in the United States.

When they go to work each Sunday (or Monday or Thursday night) millions of Americans watch from the comfort of their homes, a friend’s living room or the neighborhood sports bar.

As very public faces of the labor movement, NFL players, like New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, have a unique opportunity to draw national attention to workers' rights.

Dave Zirin, sports editor for The Nation magazine, wrote a powerful column this week, “Drew Brees, Union Power and the Big Payback,” about why Brees, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, has not received a firm contract from the Saints. He suggests Brees is getting “payback” for sticking by his union.

Zirin writes:

In fall 2010, it was Brees who led a procession onto the field in full view of the Sunday Night Football cameras with one finger in the air, a symbol that both teams—the Saints and Vikings—were actually one team united against ownership. The voice of the NFL establishment, Al Michaels, a proud political conservative, condemned it from the NBC booth, saying—with an eye roll, “There’s nothing like a labor statement to start the season.” As for the NFL owners, like the elephant who symbolizes their political affection, they don’t forget. But Brees proceeded without concern for any kind of payback. After all, he brought a Super Bowl victory to New Orleans. He was untouchable. As the team’s union representative and member of the NFLPA executive board, Brees remained outspoken and was one of the lead plaintiffs in the lockout lawsuits against the NFL.

FULL story at link.