With the perceived lack of fairness under the NFL’s arbitration process, another player is taking his grievances to the federal government.
On the heels of Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson filing a complaint against the NFL and NFLPA with the United States Department of Labor, comes this rather alarming news.
On the heels of Lane Johnson's action, Packers DL Mike Pennel has sued the NFL, NFLPA and NFLMC in federal court.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 29, 2016
Mike Pennel was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The Green Bay Packers’ defensive tackle is now facing a longer suspension for allegedly violating the same policy.
Much like Johnson, Pennel’s grievance surrounds what he perceives to be unfair practices within the NFL’s appeals process.
Pennel's case includes 1 of the same complaints as Johnson's — centering on a conflict of interest involving arbitrator James Carter.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 29, 2016
The federal courts have been hesitant to get involved in the arbitration of collective bargaining issues in the past. Though, the entire Tom Brady situation from the past several months may throw a wrench into that idea.
Simply put, there are now multiple NFL players who have decided to break with the union and go over the head of those tasked with representing them against the league itself. Pennel is just the latest example of this.
Among other things, Pennel is asking for the court to assign a new arbitrator to the case in lieu of the aforementioned James Carter.
If you remember correctly, Carter is the same officer who oversaw and eventually denied Johnson’s appeal of the 10-game suspension the Eagles’ offensive tackle received earlier this year.