NFLPA on ESPN: Think twice before trusting them

The NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) found itself in a pickle this week after ESPN, who is their broadcast partner brought fourth a situation in which the NFL pressured them into not showing a documentary on player safety. Since the players get 55% of the TV money, the NFLPA says that players should be very choosy on who they choose to cooperate with. According to Deadspin.com, the NFLPA's executive director, George Atllah stated that between the lockout, Saint's scandal, and HGH testing, the players union has been disappointed in how reporters take the leagues stories whole hog, and it worries about separating the stories from the mouth pieces, aka they want to have players watch what they say, especially to ESPN.

"We have to figure out how to make a distinction between this business decision and the journalists at ESPN who have given the players a fair shake," Atallah said. "Who can we count on to tell the truth? The only thing that gives me confidence is that there are people at ESPN and other outlets who are still willing to tell the truth. Given the media landscape we are in, player access is as valuable as access to the games. We will have to make a longer-term decision if we don't feel like our broadcast partners are willing to tell the truth."

With ESPN backing out of the documentary, known as Frontline, it makes the players even more curious. Just because they faced pressure from the NFL and backed out, it is now the focus and center of the attention of every player, and a lot of journalists as well.

- Joshua Powers
@jmano33