Angus
04-08-2008, 04:58 PM
Stover e-mail shows plan to find successor to NFLPA boss Upshaw
By Chris Mortensen
ESPN.com
Effort Underway to Oust Gene Upshaw
An effort to oust Gene Upshaw as the NFL Players Association Executive Director became evident Monday, when veteran Baltimore Ravens kicker Matt Stover e-mailed a plan to fellow player representatives to have a new union boss in place by March 2009.
In his e-mail, a copy of which has been obtained by ESPN, Stover revealed a conference call among player reps last week about which he said, "I was on that conference call and I am not the only rep who listened and felt that it is time for a change." Two union sources say that Stover objected strongly to the amount of Upshaw's latest contract, which called for $24 million in salary over six years.
Upshaw said Tuesday morning that he was aware of Stover's e-mail but read it for the first time when ESPN forwarded him a copy. Upshaw's contract runs through 2010, but he said Tuesday he told player representatives at their annual meeting in Maui in March that with a looming labor confrontation with NFL owners, "I would never leave until this deal is done."
Stover's Letter to NFLPA
Ravens kicker Matt Stover's e-mailed plan to fellow NFL player representatives detailing a plan to have a successor to union president Gene Upshaw in place by 2009. Letter
Tuesday, Upshaw said, "Obviously, there's a group that feels we need to have a change now."
As for Stover's e-mail, Upshaw said Tuesday: "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."
Upshaw confirmed that hints of a movement ultimately to change the union leadership were in play at the March meetings in Maui. An effort by one coalition of players to get Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins elected as the new NFL Players Association president fell short when Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae was voted as its new active-players leader, according to player sources. Mawae is believed to be a supporter of Upshaw.
Dawkins, a member of the players union's executive committee, had the backing of former NFLPA president Troy Vincent, who was no longer eligible for the position because he was not an active player. Several player sources have said Vincent is regarded as a political force within the ranks of the players and desires to replace Upshaw one day.
"I can't speak for Matt Stover and I don't know if there's a primary complaint about Gene's leadership," Dawkins said, "but look at it from this viewpoint, that in any business situation where leadership change is inevitable, there has to be an orderly process.
"Even just speaking as a veteran football player, it would be foolish for the Eagles not to have someone in place to eventually replace me as a safety. I may not be comfortable as far as thinking about that reality but you have to look ahead. It's crazy for us, as a union, not to start a process that can identify a great leader to eventually take over for Gene."
There has been no specific reason cited for the latest move to oust Upshaw. Vincent denied that he was a political force in the movement.
"If you can find one player rep or executive committee member [to] tell you on the record that I was [politicking] behind the scenes in Maui last month, then I'd be shocked and I'd be a liar," said Vincent.
"It's true that Brian Dawkins is a dear friend but you have to let the process take place and Kevin [Mawae] was elected. I think an open and transparent process is what's healthy for the union and that's what happened. I would never compromise the integrity of that process and I would never undermine Gene. I don't like the idea of having to defend myself because I have nothing to defend."
Asked if he aspired to be Upshaw's successor, Vincent said, "I don't aspire to it. I have had a great life on the field and off it. At the same time, if the committee ever believes I'm a viable candidate, at that point and only at that point would I sit down to have a discussion."
In a statement released by the Ravens on Tuesday afternoon, Stover said he preferred to handle the matter privately.
"I'm going to respect the process of our union leadership, executive committee and player reps. I choose to handle this matter privately. It was certainly not my intention for my private e-mail to a select group to become public."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3336017
By Chris Mortensen
ESPN.com
Effort Underway to Oust Gene Upshaw
An effort to oust Gene Upshaw as the NFL Players Association Executive Director became evident Monday, when veteran Baltimore Ravens kicker Matt Stover e-mailed a plan to fellow player representatives to have a new union boss in place by March 2009.
In his e-mail, a copy of which has been obtained by ESPN, Stover revealed a conference call among player reps last week about which he said, "I was on that conference call and I am not the only rep who listened and felt that it is time for a change." Two union sources say that Stover objected strongly to the amount of Upshaw's latest contract, which called for $24 million in salary over six years.
Upshaw said Tuesday morning that he was aware of Stover's e-mail but read it for the first time when ESPN forwarded him a copy. Upshaw's contract runs through 2010, but he said Tuesday he told player representatives at their annual meeting in Maui in March that with a looming labor confrontation with NFL owners, "I would never leave until this deal is done."
Stover's Letter to NFLPA
Ravens kicker Matt Stover's e-mailed plan to fellow NFL player representatives detailing a plan to have a successor to union president Gene Upshaw in place by 2009. Letter
Tuesday, Upshaw said, "Obviously, there's a group that feels we need to have a change now."
As for Stover's e-mail, Upshaw said Tuesday: "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."
Upshaw confirmed that hints of a movement ultimately to change the union leadership were in play at the March meetings in Maui. An effort by one coalition of players to get Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins elected as the new NFL Players Association president fell short when Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae was voted as its new active-players leader, according to player sources. Mawae is believed to be a supporter of Upshaw.
Dawkins, a member of the players union's executive committee, had the backing of former NFLPA president Troy Vincent, who was no longer eligible for the position because he was not an active player. Several player sources have said Vincent is regarded as a political force within the ranks of the players and desires to replace Upshaw one day.
"I can't speak for Matt Stover and I don't know if there's a primary complaint about Gene's leadership," Dawkins said, "but look at it from this viewpoint, that in any business situation where leadership change is inevitable, there has to be an orderly process.
"Even just speaking as a veteran football player, it would be foolish for the Eagles not to have someone in place to eventually replace me as a safety. I may not be comfortable as far as thinking about that reality but you have to look ahead. It's crazy for us, as a union, not to start a process that can identify a great leader to eventually take over for Gene."
There has been no specific reason cited for the latest move to oust Upshaw. Vincent denied that he was a political force in the movement.
"If you can find one player rep or executive committee member [to] tell you on the record that I was [politicking] behind the scenes in Maui last month, then I'd be shocked and I'd be a liar," said Vincent.
"It's true that Brian Dawkins is a dear friend but you have to let the process take place and Kevin [Mawae] was elected. I think an open and transparent process is what's healthy for the union and that's what happened. I would never compromise the integrity of that process and I would never undermine Gene. I don't like the idea of having to defend myself because I have nothing to defend."
Asked if he aspired to be Upshaw's successor, Vincent said, "I don't aspire to it. I have had a great life on the field and off it. At the same time, if the committee ever believes I'm a viable candidate, at that point and only at that point would I sit down to have a discussion."
In a statement released by the Ravens on Tuesday afternoon, Stover said he preferred to handle the matter privately.
"I'm going to respect the process of our union leadership, executive committee and player reps. I choose to handle this matter privately. It was certainly not my intention for my private e-mail to a select group to become public."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3336017