Steelers’ player representative Ramon Foster defends the process in negotiating the proposed CBA

There have been several NFL players who have spoken up in loud opposition to the current proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement in which the NFLPA is sending to the players for a league-wide vote. While many of these players represent the very top of the league when it comes to salary, the majority of players would greatly benefit from a large pay raise in both rookie and minimum salary payscales. Steelers’ center Maurkice Pouncey posted a profanity-laced video opposing the proposed CBA. While I took offense to his speech, what may have been more offensive was his disregard for his fellow offensive lineman Ramon Foster and his efforts to do what is best for all NFL players.

Luckily, Foster did not stay silent about those critical of the CBA. One of his early signs on Twitter begin with retweeting a statement by Chicago Bears Chase Daniel.

Before typing his own words, Foster actually liked one of my tweets in which I mentioned him where I was hoping he would speak about the subject and bring clarity to an issue where so many seem to be ill-informed.

Fosters next move on Twitter was a reply to ESPN’s Dan Graziano who Foster believed an item they had negotiated was not being properly presented.

Foster’s next move was a reply to teammate Vince Williams who stated he was ready to see how other players really felt about voting for the CBA. Appearing to pretty much be asking the question in jest, Foster took the opportunity to state again how players need to be fully informed and not going off of rumors on social media.

Foster also replied to former offensive guard Geoff Schwartz and made a statement about how players don’t educate themselves about what’s going on with the NFLPA except when it’s time to vote for a new CBA.

Foster continued to drive home the point of players being fully informed of the situation. There are so many misrepresentations floating around social media by players and media outlets as to how the negotiating process helped come to this final proposal.

Foster made sure he clarified his passion for representing our players as part of the NFLPA.

As much as I would like to see Ramon Foster come out in an interview to speak about the proposal, I don’t think we’ll be so lucky. But when it comes to all the players in the NFL, and particularly the Pittsburgh Steelers, I’ll take his opinion above anyone else. He has been involved in the situation for quite some time and understands what the union had to fight for in order to get the deal they are currently being presented. The owners want a 17-game schedule and are willing to give a lot of concessions in order to make it happen. It seems like some players are only going to be happy if they still get everything they want and still don’t have to play the extra game.

The vote on the new CBA by all NFL players is expected to take place within the next couple of weeks.