Clarifying NFL rookies' attendance rule for NFLPA Premiere

Steelers third round pick Dri Archer was selected to attend the 2014 NFLPA Rookie Premiere - an event designed to give a select group of rookies exposure to the business side of the NFL.

Through a news release issued by the NFLPA, "throughout the event, players will gain information to assist in the development of their professional careers. The union’s annual orientation includes seminars focused on financial planning, brand building, group player rights, and social media best practices."

According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Archer and the 34 other rookies selected to attend are not allowed to attend team practices for the duration of the event. It had been reported Archer previously missed the Steelers' first two days of practice in their OTAs session this week due to illness, then due to this event.

The CBA states Archer could not have attended practice today, confirmed in an email from NFLPA Communications Director Carl Francis.

The email was sent in regards to questions BTSC posed as to the timing of the event. To that, Francis wrote, "This event has taken place for over 15 years during the month of April, but due to this year’s late draft we moved the event to May to ensure players would not miss important practice time with their clubs."