Former LSU defensive back Ryan Clark could have a new occupation in a couple of months.
Clark, a Pittsburgh Steelers union representative, may go from crushing wide receivers under the bright lights of Super Bowl XLV to doing laundry and helping his three kids with homework.
When asked on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan what he would do if the owners and NFL Players Association don’t agree on a new collective bargaining agreement, Clark said, “I’m going to be a stay-at-home dad and do radio and TV.”
Clark is one of many former LSU players who could be affected by the recent labor negotiations in the NFL.
The collective bargaining agreement was set to expire at 10:59 p.m. CST on Thursday night, but the NFL and NFLPA agreed to a 24-hour extension, according to The Associated Press.
Thursday was the 10th day the two sides met with private mediator George Cohen.
The union and owners are fighting about a number of issues, including a rookie wage scale, possible 18-game season and how to split the $9 billion of league revenue.
The owners currently hold most of the leverage and are threatening to lock out the players, which would be the first NFL work stoppage since 1987.
Sources told ESPN the players unionwould have decertified if they didn’t agree to an extension.
It’s hard to side with the greedy 32 NFL owners, especially because they refuse to prove they are losing money.
“That tells you all you need to know right there,” said Albert Elias, an NFL agent who represents many former LSU players. “If they were really having this much trouble, why wouldn’t they prove it?”
The players, under the leadership of former Tiger offensive lineman and current NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, are also seeking more extensive medical benefits.
Players are stopping at no costs to milk all their benefits before things possibly change. It has been reported that the pregnant wife of one NFL player had labor induced last week to make sure they would have insurance coverage.
Is this really what things are coming to?
Pushing the talks for another 24 hours is at least a sign there may be some common ground, but at the same time, a lockout or decertification are still strong possibilities, both which could take months to settle.
The players received a minor win Wednesday when U.S. District Judge David Doty ruled the owners violated the current collective bargaining agreement by negotiating guaranteed money from TV revenues if there was to be a lockout.
Despite the widespread media attention, former LSU players entering this year’s NFL draft don’t seem too concerned with the labor unrest. The draft is one of the only certain things to happen in the upcoming months.
“I’m not worried about it,” said linebacker Kelvin Sheppard. “There’s going to be a draft. There’s going to be football.”
Wide receiver Terrence Toliver didn’t comment, saying he has been told to keep mum on the issue.
Elias, who represents New Orleans Saints cornerback Randall Gay, doesn’t share the positive view of the former Tigers, saying the proposed schedule increase could be a major holdup in the negotiations.
“[Gay] had a concussion last year,” Elias said. “We don’t know if he’s going to get that salary. The players have so many injuries, they can’t walk when they are 40.”
Former LSU players may be reunited with LSU coach Les Miles in Baton Rouge to workout if there is a lockout because the players wouldn’t be able to practice or have contact with their NFL teams.
“Football is very important in this country at all levels, whether it’s high school, junior high school, youth football, college football or the NFL,” Miles said. “It will be a significant loss if those playing dates aren’t met.”
Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert.
 
 
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Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]