As NFL Network and NFL.com reported prior to the Super Bowl, the NFL Players Association is considering organizing a boycott that would prevent top draft prospects from attending April's NFL Draft in New York City.
There is no official arrangement or edict from the NFLPA, which after filing for decertification Friday, now classifies itself as a trade association, but spokesman George Atallah attempted to clarify the matter via Twitter Tuesday.
"the NFLPA is not asking anyone to 'boycott' anything, NFL Draft in particular," Atallah wrote. "The NFL Draft is special. Players and their families will be in NYC. It just maybe different. We will provide details when we can."
The NFLPA met and held conference calls with top agents about this topic prior to the Super Bowl and, as NFL Network and NFL.com reported, there was strong support among numerous top agents to boycott the draft entirely.
"One of the things that makes the NFL Draft so great is that it's an opportunity for these great young players to realize their hopes and dreams," commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday on "NFL Total Access." "Anyone that would interfere with all the hard work that they've put in to walk across that stage and become an NFL draft choice -- I just don't think that's in the best interest of the young men and their families that have worked so hard to get to that stage and get to that opportunity. And clearly that is not something the fans are going to want."
Furthermore, several top agents have broached the possibility that veteran players could try to picket in Manhattan near Radio City Music Hall, where the draft is held, in the event a lockout is ongoing that weekend.
