Exclusive: The NFL Players' Union, the Silenced Top Cop and the Cabal of "Strip-Club Dreams"
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What does Craig Jones reveal about his role in the NFLPA?
Welcome to Pablo Torre Finds Out, presented by eBay Live. I am Pablo Torre, and today you're going to find out what this sound is.
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This is the first time we've met in person. We just shook hands minutes ago. We spoke for the first time on the phone a couple weeks ago, but I've heard a lot about you. I've heard you're legend. And it is, I mean, it's an amazing, it's an amazing life you've lived. Do you mind if you establish here at the top, how old are you, Mr. Craig Jones?
I am 71 years old.
Your job, Craig, your job title at the union was what and how long did you have that title?
I was the lead security officer. I was the special police officer. And I was hired first in October of 08. And then after two years being there as a contractual employee there, The esteemed Timothy Christine, who was my security director, brought me on in 2010 to work as the lead security officer for the union as an employee. I got there two months after Gene Upshaw had passed away. And so everybody was telling me what his methodology was. And that was to truly, truly care and speak plainly to the powers that needed to be spoken to. so they can care as well. And then when the intellectually pugilistic Demore Smith came on, then that continued to elevate the game on how we were every day to come in with the very best of ourselves.
So for people who have never visited the NFLPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., where you worked for almost two decades, what does it look like? Can you paint the picture for us of the building?
Well, the building I'm in is in what they call the Golden Triangle of Washington, D.C., which is the business area of Washington, D.C., K Street, Connecticut Avenue. It's a modern building, but it doesn't bring any attention to itself because of the way that it was architecturally drawn. The simplicity of all of the buildings on that street is what brings about the elegance. One of the last weeks I was working there, there was a security guard having a problem across the street with someone. And I went across the street and asked him, was everything okay? Did he need any assistance? And he saw my work badge. He said, the NFLPA. He said, what is that? I said, that's who I work for. He said, the NFLPA?
I said, yeah, it's right across the street in that building right there. And he said, I'd be damned. I've been here for eight years and I never knew what was going on at that building.
You're describing this building literally like the person who swore to protect it with his life. And when you say, you know, the NFLPA, like someone wouldn't even know that it was there. I mean, there's a larger metaphor there, I think, for how sports fans understand the union, which is to say they know what's kind of there somewhere. But it's rare that they really get an inside view of like, what happens here? Why does this matter? Why should I care? I am a fan of the most popular sport in America, the National Football League. I love football. But now that I've done so much reporting on it, it's crazy how much less we think about how important and fraught the union itself is. And yet your response...
is pride. The term that multiple former NFL players and NFL Players Association union leaders have used to describe you in my previous reporting is that you're the conscience of the NFLPA.
What does that mean to you? That means the world to me because my parents, we grew up during the civil rights era. And my parents would always say to myself and my six sisters, when it's time for you to stand up for what is right, not only for yourself, but most importantly for other people, raise your hand and do so. And because I was protecting people, I don't get do-overs. So I have to be on point every day. There was a famous sports photographer by the name of Kaz Michie who used to be at all of the boxing matches. And he once told me that the reason why your pictures seem to be too late or too early is because you got to know when the proper moment is.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What does Craig Jones reveal about his role in the NFLPA?
0:00–5:01
2
How did the NFLPA's leadership change impact its members?
5:01–12:41
3
What controversies surrounded Lloyd Howell's leadership?
12:41–18:30
4
Why did Craig Jones feel compelled to speak out?
18:30–23:52
5
What were the implications of the collusion ruling for players?
23:52–28:59
6
How did the NFLPA's internal politics affect player trust?
28:59–35:09
7
What challenges did Craig Jones face after his termination?
35:09–42:26
8
What is the future of the NFLPA amidst these scandals?
42:26–59:10
Speakers
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