DeMaurice Smith

DeMaurice Smith
DeMaurice Smith
Born	February 3, 1964 (age 60); Washington, D.C., U.S.
Education	Cedarville University (BA); University of Virginia (JD)
Occupation(s)	Attorney, former executive director of the NFL Players Association

DeMaurice F. "De" Smith (born February 3, 1964) is the former executive director of the

collective bargaining agreement

.

Education

Smith received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his B.A. degree in political science from Cedarville University, a Baptist school in Ohio.^[2]

Prior to his work with the

U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.^[4]

On March 15, 2009, Smith was elected unanimously by a board of active player representatives to become the executive director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). Although Smith lacked football experience, his ties to presidential power and business experts helped give him an advantage over other potential candidates like Troy Vincent, Trace Armstrong, and sports attorney David Cornwell.^[2]^[4] He was elected to his second and third terms in 2012 and 2015, respectively.^[5] As executive director, Smith has emphasized that players need to take more control of their careers, educate themselves, and be more involved in the process.^[2] Although his main role is to fight for better player salaries and improved safety, Smith has made it clear that long-term health care and increased benefits for tomorrow are just as important.^[6]

During Smith's first term as executive director of the

collective bargaining agreement in July 2011.^[7]

Smith spoke at the

^ Belson, Ken (28 June 2023). "Eyeing Expanding Revenue, N.F.L. Players Tap a Business Executive to Lead Their Union". The New York Times. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Trotter, Jim (21 February 2011). "The Fighter". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
^ "TheGrio's 100: DeMaurice Smith, Playing Hardball for NFL Players". The Grio. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
^ ^a ^b Clayton, John (16 March 2009). "Smith Elected to Head NFLPA". ESPN. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
^ Winston, Eric (16 March 2015). "DeMaurice Smith re-elected by NFLPA". ESPN. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
^ ^a ^b Pappu, Sridhar (22 January 2011). "Quarterback for a Team of 1,900". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
^ "Roger Goodell Sings 10-Year CBA". ESPN. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
^ Strickler, Andrew (21 May 2015). "'Find good fights' and other tips for law school grads". Law360. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
^ "DeMaurice Smith talks at Maryland". The Associated Press. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2015.