For years, I've heard whispers that players are unhappy with NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw, but only a couple of them have gone public. Since both of those players went missing, criticizing Upshaw hasn't really caught on.
Actually, former Packers and Cowboys guard Marco Rivera was highly critical of Upshaw last offseason. I'm sure the fact that he was released by the Cowboys the following day was purely coincidental.
Now, Ravens kicking great Matt Stover, who attended the high school two blocks from my house, has sent an e-mail to fellow player reps calling for a new executive director of the NFLPA to be in place by next March. This e-mail was somehow intercepted by our Chris Mortensen who's been solid in coverage lately.
The e-mail reads in part: "After the conference call on Wednesday, April 4th, I believe that the NFLPA is ready to begin a national search process to find a new Executive Director. As you are completely aware of our election process, Gene's contractual situation, and our looming battles against the owners in the coming years, I feel that the Board must begin to prepare for a change in leadership immediately. I believe we have the proper environment with our teammates and leadership within the board to execute the process of this selection. To be "Open and Transparent" is critical for the body to back our possible selection, as well as our outside critics."
Upshaw responded in typically understated fashion:
"Matt Stover has no clue. Whoever is pulling his chain is doing a disservice to the union. I could understand the idea that they need to get rid of me if I wasn't doing a good job but, shoot, the owners are mad because they think I've done too good of a job."
It's pretty impressive that Upshaw can attack another man's credibility and pat himself on the back at the same time. I used to think this man was vulnerable, but it's become clear to me that he's bullet-proof. Some sort of movement against him will only steel his resolve.
Some players think the salary that Upshaw draws is obscenely large. Sports Business Journal said that Upshaw made $6.7 million per year. If those numbers are correct, Upshaw makes almost $3 million more per year than NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, a relative bargain at $4 million per.
During the year that ended in late Feb. 2007, Major League Baseball Players Association chief Donald Fehr reportedly made somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 million.
Upshaw knows that the players won't come together and oust him. And that's why he feels comfortable insulting Stover. Perhaps someday his arrogance will be his undoing. For now, it helps keep him in business.
