Tight end Tony Gonzalez, who retired from the NFL after this past season, has spoken out regarding Jimmy Graham’s current predicament. He points out that the NFL is the only professional sports league that determines salaries by position.
Future HOFer @TonyGonzalez88 explains why the NFL's backward salary system hurts elite players like Jimmy Graham. http://t.co/yvcmIH3h9C
— SportsLine (@SportsLine) July 7, 2014
Gonzalez wrote on CBSSports.com regarding the NFL’s salary determination (h/t NFL.com)
I can think of a few terms to describe what’s going on in the NFL, like ‘backward, lack of common sense or behind the times, but the one that makes the most sense is ‘discrimination.’ Salaries should be set based on production and contributions, not positions.
These comments in Gonzalez’ column stem from a recent statement made by the Detroit Lions’ rookie tight end Eric Ebron. Ebron indicated that the NFL needs a hybrid designation for star tight ends starring in the “joker” role; a term that was created by Kellen Winslow Sr. in the 1980’s.
When it comes to the whole salary designation issue, the NFLPA cannot change anything until early next decade when the current CBA expires. Until then, contract arguments are to be expected. Back in 2011, Gonzalez missed a whole training camp under a franchise tag which eventually rewarded him one of the most lucrative contracts in tight end history.
Photo: Falcfans.com