NFL Draft 2011: DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA Are Selfish in "Asking" for Boycott

The 2011 Draft is near approaching, and it seems that there is more on the minds of the players than just what team they will be playing for.

There was a rumor that came out stating that the NFL Players Association had instructed the incoming draft class to boycott attending the draft as a sign of unity among the players, and to make a statement to the league.

And what a statement it would be!

Can you imagine what it would be like for Roger Goodell to get up on stage and announce the No. 1 overall pick, only nobody comes up to shake his hand?

Talk about making a statement, right?

NFLPA leader, DeMaurice Smith, addressed this situation on Monday, and clearly denied asking for a boycott.

According to USA TODAY, Smith stated that he never told the incoming rookies to boycott the draft, but that he wants them to understand that there are “immediate and serious business aspects their admission to the league triggers.”

He made it clear that he thinks it’s important for the players to realize that they are entering into a business, and that if they attending the draft would be "shaking hands with the same man who is locking them out."

The NFLPA is considering holding a party as an alternative for the draft prospects. Instead of attending the draft, they would spend time celebrating with the Players Association.

Now, granted this is a business environment, and both parties obviously have some things to work through. Isn’t asking these players to boycott something they have been looking forward to their entire life a little bit harsh?

Football is an incredibly physical game, and only the best conditioned and prepared athletes can make it to such an elite level. They have been enduring grueling practices and two-a-days since Pop Warner leagues, and the sacrifices that come along with making it to the NFL are tremendous.

Doesn’t every player fantasize and dream about the moment their name is finally called?

Why would the NFLPA want these players to miss out on such a milestone moment of their lives and careers?

They are asking them to give up on the dream of walking onto the stage with all the lights on them, while the whole room applaudes them, and finally putting on a ball cap and holding up the jersey of the team they will be starting their NFL career with.

Honestly, even writing about that moment gives me the chills a bit. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be wait my whole life for it, and to finally experience it.

I also can’t imagine what it would be like to have worked my whole life to reach that point just to have it taken away over a business dispute.

Even if Smith didn’t come out and downright “ask” the players to boycott the draft, he certainly insinuated that he would want them to, and I can imagine that there is some sort of pressure on them to do so.

The fact that this lockout has gotten to this point is sad, and I think that the NFLPA needs to find a better way to fight their fight.

Let these guys have their moment.

They have worked hard for their their whole lives, and to have it taken away under the banner of a labor negation is absolutely ridiculous.

You can find the source of the quotes from this article by Sean Lehy of USA Today right here:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/03/demaurice-smith-nflpa-ready-to-talk-before-court-hearing/1