Controversy Surrounds NFLPA After Howell’s Resignation
Recently, Pat McAfee remarked that the resignation of Lloyd Howell Jr., the former head of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), wasn’t entirely surprising given the circumstances.
Howell stepped down from his role on Thursday amidst various controversies. The following day, it was revealed that he had been charged for excessively spending on strip club visits, totaling over $3,000.
While McAfee didn’t have a chance to share his thoughts on air that Friday, he took to X to express his views, drawing from his own experiences with the NFLPA.
Former NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell was able to use NFLPA money in transportation outfits to improve his NFLPA and get shoulder rubs upstairs at Tootsies.
In his post, McAfee said, “I don’t know what it was like before my time in the NFL. But I’ve been listening to the Rookie Symposium since just a week after being drafted. [DeMaurice] Smith is the first head who talked about it, but… NFLPA is led by people who seem to know they have the title rather than actually acting with authority.”
Having played eight seasons in the NFL, McAfee’s entire career overlapped with Smith, Howell’s predecessor.
Furthermore, McAfee voiced concerns about the egos within the NFLPA leadership. “These guys think they’re famous,” he added. “They hire their friends and pay them hefty salaries with the players’ money. They seem to be misusing the connections that players and the league have worked hard to build.”
There were numerous reasons speculated for Howell’s resignation, but it was the revelation about his lavish spending that created a stir. Now, the NFLPA faces the challenge of finding someone to fill Howell’s position.
McAfee believes this is a pivotal moment for the organization, insisting, “NFLPA needs a DAWG that understands real business and knows how to generate capital for the association. We need people who have played in the NFL and can relate to players—not just those focused on annual fees. We need innovative thinkers and negotiators.”
