Free Agents Stuck in Limbo During Lockout
“Stuck in limbo” might be the most suitable description for a free agent during this NFL lockout. Technically unemployed, free agents don’t have contracts and aren’t part of a team, putting their status for the next NFL season—whenever that season starts—up in the air.
Eric Smith, a safety who played for the New York Jets last season, is one of many free agents who face uncertain futures. While exploring his options, Smith is working out individually as well as with others at Michigan State, and he earned his master’s degree in criminal justice during the lockout. Coaching football might be his future calling.
Realizing that a career playing football is not a sure thing, especially while being locked out, Smith has taken extra steps to prepare himself. He’s wisely signed up for COBRA health insurance, an option for all players during the lockout.
As part of an ongoing series profiling people impacted by the NFL’s lockout, The Washington Post published an in-depth profile on Smith in Monday’s editions. Read the story here.
Tags: CBA, DeMaurice Smith, Eric Smith, Football, free agent, Labor, Litigation, Lockout, nfl, nflpa, Roger Goodell, Settlement, Washington Post
June 29th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Nicely put Leo, I agree 110%.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Yes perfectly put! Just saddened by this, I just want to watch a good pro game!
July 1st, 2011 at 3:07 am
I agree with Leo as well. In recent years I have become less interested in the NFL as it is so commercialized. I have always been a huge college football fan and the lockout has now left me with no interest at all in the NFL I’m afraid.