Poop Eric Winston: Don't care if NFL 'dies out in 20 years' because of work stoppage - Page 3

TLO · 08-22-2017, 01:45 PM

Winston not concerned if NFL dies out in 20 years

ESPN.com news services

NFL Players Association president Eric Winston agreed with DeMaurice Smith's recent comments that a work stoppage in 2021 is likely, given the current relationship between the union and the league.

But Winston took it a step further Monday in an interview with WCPO in Cincinnati, suggesting that players shouldn't care that a strike or lockout "might kill the goose that laid the golden egg."

"Honestly I don't care and I don't think the guys in this locker room care whether [the NFL] is going to be around in 20 years because none of us are going to be playing," Winston, an offensive tackle for the Bengals, told WCPO. "So if these guys [the owners] want to own for a long time, then they can own for a long time. But another work stoppage might kill the golden goose."

EDITOR'S PICKS

Why Roger Goodell's NFL reign isn't in danger
Fans love to hate The Commish, but he's now likely to have a tenure that surpasses his predecessor Paul Tagliabue's in length.

NFLPA head: 2021 strike or lockout very likely
A work stoppage in 2021 is "almost a virtual certainty," NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith told Sports Illustrated in a video interview posted Thursday.

Smith, the union's executive director, said last week that "the likelihood of either a strike or a lockout is almost a virtual certainty."

The NFL's current collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire in 2021, was finalized after a 132-day lockout in 2011.

Winston, 33, said the union is preparing its players for another prolonged labor dispute but emphasized that the long-term health of the NFL is not a concern of his.

"I'm certainly not worried about it," he said. "I'm not going to be around that long. I don't care if even if there are rookies in here -- they're not going to be playing that long.

"So if this thing dies out in 20 years, it dies out in 20 years. That's not really my concern, and I don't think it's any of these players' concern in here either."

Smith, when asked about Winston's comments during an interview Tuesday with ESPN's Outside The Lines, said the veteran offensive lineman is "a person who understands the frame and business of football."

"The owners locked us out the last time," Smith said. "They took the decision to make sure that people didn't have a place to work. They cut off the insurance to our families. They wanted to force an 18-game schedule. What are you supposed to do? Fight back, right?"

Winston is a 12-year veteran and has been the NFLPA's president since March 2014. He acknowledged that there are "always going to be issues between labor and management" but also said that a work stoppage will be the "inevitable outcome" unless serious progress is made in negotiations.

The NFLPA has clashed in recent years with the NFL over player discipline in such high-profile cases as Adrian Peterson's suspension for child abuse, Tom Brady's Deflategate suspension and, most recently, Ezekiel Elliott's suspension for alleged domestic violence.

Winston also was asked Monday why he thinks fans tend to side with ownership in labor disputes.

"My personal theory is [fans] think they have a stake in the team," he said. "I was as blindsided by it probably as anybody [in 2011]. ... They don't look at the issues the way we look at issues -- wages, hours, working conditions, and health and safety. You could talk about the same thing in a coal miners' union meeting as we do in our meetings.

"I think fans look at the team and say that that's their team -- they have an ownership in that. That's why you always hear fans say 'Oh, the salary cap,' and they think they're kinda the general managers. Obviously fantasy football and things like that play into it."

KCUnited · 08-22-2017, 02:38 PM

Winston seems like the type of guy that has one of those Zombie Outbreak Response Team spare tire covers on his Jeep.

**TribalElder** · 08-22-2017, 02:38 PM

Take him to jack stack!

Dayze · 08-22-2017, 02:39 PM

people should tell Winthston he should be grateful the NFL doesn't pay players strictly based on performance; because he'd be broke.

DJ's left nut · 08-22-2017, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Who the **** lets someone with this mindset head up a union?

In fairness, the NFLPA has had it broken off in them repeatedly. They play the most demanding and most damaging of the professional sports. They have the shortest careers and feel it the longest after they're done.

If I could be similarly successful at any of the 5 major sports (including soccer), I'd take all of them over football and wouldn't think twice about it.

As a reward, they get no guaranteed money. Worse still, in a league where, what, 1 in 3 players see real money after their rookie deals are over, the rookie scale has turned to shit on them as well.

Meanwhile, the NFL is making more money than every other major sport.

If I'm an NFL player, I'm absolutely looking for some serious changes and if that means finding an asshole like Winston to head your PA - so be it. The soft-shoes approach hasn't done shit for them.

I'm amazed at how much NFL owners have managed to bend over the NFLPA in comparison to every other professional athlete.

JakeF · 08-22-2017, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

In fairness, the NFLPA has had it broken off in them repeatedly. They play the most demanding and most damaging of the professional sports. They have the shortest careers and feel it the longest after they're done.

If I could be similarly successful at any of the 5 major sports (including soccer), I'd take all of them over football and wouldn't think twice about it.

As a reward, they get no guaranteed money. Worse still, in a league where, what, 1 in 3 players see real money after their rookie deals are over, the rookie scale has turned to shit on them as well.

Meanwhile, the NFL is making more money than every other major sport.

If I'm an NFL player, I'm absolutely looking for some serious changes and if that means finding an asshole like Winston to head your PA - so be it. The soft-shoes approach hasn't done shit for them.

I'm amazed at how much NFL owners have managed to bend over the NFLPA in comparison to every other professional athlete.

That's about business, not about personal attacks etc. Do a better job of negotiating and you won't need to lash out like a 3 yr old throwing a tantrum.

Spott · 08-22-2017, 02:50 PM

I don't care if Winston dies in 20 years, either.

**wazu** · 08-22-2017, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

In fairness, the NFLPA has had it broken off in them repeatedly. They play the most demanding and most damaging of the professional sports. They have the shortest careers and feel it the longest after they're done.

If I could be similarly successful at any of the 5 major sports (including soccer), I'd take all of them over football and wouldn't think twice about it.

As a reward, they get no guaranteed money. Worse still, in a league where, what, 1 in 3 players see real money after their rookie deals are over, the rookie scale has turned to shit on them as well.

Meanwhile, the NFL is making more money than every other major sport.

If I'm an NFL player, I'm absolutely looking for some serious changes and if that means finding an asshole like Winston to head your PA - so be it. The soft-shoes approach hasn't done shit for them.

I'm amazed at how much NFL owners have managed to bend over the NFLPA in comparison to every other professional athlete.

NFL players are free to play another sport if it's so much better.

Dayze · 08-22-2017, 02:52 PM

just make it where each game there's a pool of $x dollars per game.
Winners get 70% to divide up between the players.
Losers get 30% to divide up between the losing players.

big nasty kcnut · 08-22-2017, 02:58 PM

**** him!

DJ's left nut · 08-22-2017, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeF

That's about business, not about personal attacks etc. Do a better job of negotiating and you won't need to lash out like a 3 yr old throwing a tantrum.

It's anchoring.

The problem Winston faces is that he doesn't have an infinitely long timeline to work with here. His constituency is comprised of people who have Bentley payments to make and 4th and 5th houses to pay for as well as extremely short careers in which to make the money that allows them to do it.

Worse still, for the guys on the fringes, a single year out of work now doubles the pool of new labor (effectively 2 years worth of draftees) and thus greatly increases the odds of them just being out on the street, $500K poorer and with no long-term NFL prospects now.

So for the super rich that are spending like sailors on shore leave, they'll want that money to cover exorbitant expenses because they live like idiots. For the young guys on rookie deals who are looking at 3-5 year careers, they can't afford to lose 20% of their career and earning potential in a Pyrrhic victory.

There isn't an easy 'negotiation tactic' for Winston here because he doesn't really have a hammer. At least not one that's easily wielded. So he has to throw some haymakers in the hopes they land. Sooner or later his own constituency will lack the political will to allow him to follow through on any long-term leverage.

I damn sure don't envy him.

Rasputin · 08-22-2017, 02:59 PM

I wish bad things to happen to Matt Cassel for his comments.

DJ's left nut · 08-22-2017, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazu

NFL players are free to play another sport if it's so much better.

Certainly a nuanced, well-reasoned response.

**notorious** · 08-22-2017, 03:06 PM

A majority of fans were lining up to support the players, and this ****stick shits all over their good will.

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-22-2017, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazu

NFL players are free to play another sport if it's so much better.

More and more, guys are choosing baseball over football.

Be careful what you wish for...

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-22-2017, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noa

Don't they get pensions and other benefits after retirement?

They only receive a pension if they've accrued three full seasons and it doesn't begin until age 55

08-22-2017, 01:45 PM
TLO Life is changing.. Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NW Missouri Casino cash: $-2630000	Eric Winston: Don't care if NFL 'dies out in 20 years' because of work stoppage Winston not concerned if NFL dies out in 20 years ESPN.com news services NFL Players Association president Eric Winston agreed with DeMaurice Smith's recent comments that a work stoppage in 2021 is likely, given the current relationship between the union and the league. But Winston took it a step further Monday in an interview with WCPO in Cincinnati, suggesting that players shouldn't care that a strike or lockout "might kill the goose that laid the golden egg." "Honestly I don't care and I don't think the guys in this locker room care whether [the NFL] is going to be around in 20 years because none of us are going to be playing," Winston, an offensive tackle for the Bengals, told WCPO. "So if these guys [the owners] want to own for a long time, then they can own for a long time. But another work stoppage might kill the golden goose." EDITOR'S PICKS Why Roger Goodell's NFL reign isn't in danger Fans love to hate The Commish, but he's now likely to have a tenure that surpasses his predecessor Paul Tagliabue's in length. NFLPA head: 2021 strike or lockout very likely A work stoppage in 2021 is "almost a virtual certainty," NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith told Sports Illustrated in a video interview posted Thursday. Smith, the union's executive director, said last week that "the likelihood of either a strike or a lockout is almost a virtual certainty." The NFL's current collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire in 2021, was finalized after a 132-day lockout in 2011. Winston, 33, said the union is preparing its players for another prolonged labor dispute but emphasized that the long-term health of the NFL is not a concern of his. "I'm certainly not worried about it," he said. "I'm not going to be around that long. I don't care if even if there are rookies in here -- they're not going to be playing that long. "So if this thing dies out in 20 years, it dies out in 20 years. That's not really my concern, and I don't think it's any of these players' concern in here either." Smith, when asked about Winston's comments during an interview Tuesday with ESPN's Outside The Lines, said the veteran offensive lineman is "a person who understands the frame and business of football." "The owners locked us out the last time," Smith said. "They took the decision to make sure that people didn't have a place to work. They cut off the insurance to our families. They wanted to force an 18-game schedule. What are you supposed to do? Fight back, right?" Winston is a 12-year veteran and has been the NFLPA's president since March 2014. He acknowledged that there are "always going to be issues between labor and management" but also said that a work stoppage will be the "inevitable outcome" unless serious progress is made in negotiations. The NFLPA has clashed in recent years with the NFL over player discipline in such high-profile cases as Adrian Peterson's suspension for child abuse, Tom Brady's Deflategate suspension and, most recently, Ezekiel Elliott's suspension for alleged domestic violence. Winston also was asked Monday why he thinks fans tend to side with ownership in labor disputes. "My personal theory is [fans] think they have a stake in the team," he said. "I was as blindsided by it probably as anybody [in 2011]. ... They don't look at the issues the way we look at issues -- wages, hours, working conditions, and health and safety. You could talk about the same thing in a coal miners' union meeting as we do in our meetings. "I think fans look at the team and say that that's their team -- they have an ownership in that. That's why you always hear fans say 'Oh, the salary cap,' and they think they're kinda the general managers. Obviously fantasy football and things like that play into it."
Posts: 43,126

08-22-2017, 02:38 PM	#31
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1661756	Winston seems like the type of guy that has one of those Zombie Outbreak Response Team spare tire covers on his Jeep.
Posts: 37,032

08-22-2017, 02:38 PM	#32
TribalElder Arrowhead Trail of Tears Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: KansasCity Casino cash: $-659559	Take him to jack stack! __________________ Pressure is a privilege, and champions adjust
Posts: 29,555

08-22-2017, 02:39 PM	#33
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $1699358	people should tell Winthston he should be grateful the NFL doesn't pay players strictly based on performance; because he'd be broke. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,463

08-22-2017, 02:50 PM	#36
Spott Court Jester Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Orlando Casino cash: $-867600	I don't care if Winston dies in 20 years, either.
Posts: 20,699

08-22-2017, 02:52 PM	#38
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $1699358	just make it where each game there's a pool of $x dollars per game. Winners get 70% to divide up between the players. Losers get 30% to divide up between the losing players. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,463

08-22-2017, 02:58 PM	#39
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $-2269100	** him! __________________ When it's grim, be the grim reaper and go get it. Adopt a chiefs Travis Kelce. You woke up the wrong mother**er!
Posts: 19,424

08-22-2017, 02:59 PM	#41
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $5421	I wish bad things to happen to Matt Cassel for his comments. __________________ "Those who don't believe in magic will never find it"
Posts: 56,933

08-22-2017, 03:06 PM	#43
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $-1014116	A majority of fans were lining up to support the players, and this ****stick shits all over their good will.
Posts: 88,594