NFL: Should the Most Intriguing Rookies Participate in Boycotting the Draft?

In another attempt to stick it to the most watched sports league in the nation, the NFLPA, or whatever they should be referred to as after decertifying, is asking some of the most popular NFL prospects to aid in a boycott of the annual NFL draft ceremony.

You know the one where the players sit amongst chosen family members and friends at a round table while waiting seconds maybe minutes for their names to be called. The player gets up, hugs his mother and makes his way up to the stage where he receives a hat, a jersey and a handshake, sometimes hug, from commissioner Roger Goodell.

Last year we witnessed the battle between top prospects Ndamukong Suh and Sam Bradford for that number one overall spot in the draft, that eventually was relinquished to Bradford. However, the NFLPA is asking 17 of the young men entering the draft to decline their coveted invitations. Is it right?

You play the game for years in high school and at the college level, polishing and listening to the critiques of every coach and every commentator in the world to get it right so that you will one day be able to step up to the podium when your name is called. To be admired and to achieve the goal of a lifetime.

These players have gone through the trenches to get to this moment and the pressure from the NFLPA to refuse the invitation seems a little unfair.

Understandably, they are entering the league where it is best to be loyal to the brotherhood that is formed between players. If they did make this strategic move to decline the invitation, it would show their dedication to a fair deal for themselves and for the men that they will be surrounding themselves with in the near future.

Or whenever the two sides decide that it is time for a deal.

The incoming rookies are also faced with a few issues that are going to be addressed in the new CBA, such as the rookie salary that has been said to be a huge road block in negotiations. Whether these specific prospects decide to attend or not should be solely up to them with no pressure or coercion from either side.