NFL Cancels Rookie Symposium: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The NFL canceled the annual rookie symposium Tuesday and will instead institute a rookie transition program that will be hosted by each individual team, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.

Volin further elaborated on the basis for the change:

According to Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post, however, teams will still be required to discuss "social responsibility, respect at work, mental health, character and values, and player engagement resources" with the rookies in attendance.

“This new orientation program is a win-win because it allows us to give every rookie the benefit of resources from the league that will contribute to success both on and off the field,” Dolphins director of player engagement Kaleb Thornhill said in the league's statement, per Abramson. “It also brings onboarding home to our club’s heritage and culture, and the resources and relationships available in our community.”

While the NFL has focused on the positives of mandating each team to hold a rookie transition program, the old format stirred up controversy at the 2014 rookie symposium, when former NFL wide receiver Cris Carter advised rookies to have a "fall guy" if they made a mistake during their careers.

Warren Sapp, also a part of that presentation, agreed with Carter.

Teams will still bring in former players to mentor the young players, per Abramson, though after Carter's comments, it's likely the teams will monitor those speeches closely. Allowing undrafted rookies to participate in the new program is a major benefit as well.

Teams will hold the new program from June 20-22, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

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