Sean Gilbert’s platform is centered around his goal of getting the current CBA overturned. (Getty Images)
Sean Gilbert’s platform is centered around his goal of getting the current CBA overturned. (Getty Images)

Former NFL star Sean Gilbert, who went public with his candidacy to oppose incumbent DeMaurice Smith as executive director of the NFLPA, has fulfilled all requirements to initiate that process under the union’s constitution, sources said. The player representatives from each team will vote on their executive director during the union’s annual meeting, which is being held this spring in Hawaii.

In order to be eligible for election to the position, according to the NFLPA’s constitution, a candidate must “have the written endorsement of no less than three members of the Board of Representatives,” which, sources said, Gilbert has obtained. Those letters must be presented to the president of the union, Bengals tackle Eric Winston, “at least 10 days in advance of any election,” which Gilbert is prepared to do.

Winston, reached by email recently, offered a brief synopsis of how the voting process will take place:

“It's a written ballot. There will an accounting firm there to count votes and certify. If there are multiple candidates, there will be approx an hour to address all of the reps. The candidates will also address the reps in smaller groups where there will be more questions being asked and answered.”

Other candidates could emerge beyond Smith and Gilbert, of course. This is an unprecedented situation for the union, which, for years, was led by the late Gene Upshaw, virtually unopposed. Smith won election to the position after Upshaw’s passing, and he is coming to the conclusion of his term. Some players and agents have complained about the current collective bargaining agreement, brokered by Smith, but he also retains a strong degree of support.

Gilbert’s platform is centered around his goal of getting this CBA overturned, and he claims to have evidence the NFL violated the document and colluded in a way that could get the agreement essentially torn up.

Gilbert has declined to reveal his evidence and the nature of his case to this point, saying, based on the advice of legal counsel, he must decline to reveal to particulars of how the league has violated Article 17 of the CBA. Per Article 69, Section 2, of the CBA, there is a process outlined for CBA Termination Due To Collusion: “If at any time the conditions of Article 17, Section 16(a), (b), or (c) are satisfied, the NFLPA shall have the right to terminate this Agreement. To execute such termination, the NFLPA shall serve upon the NFL written notice of termination within thirty days after the System Arbitrator’s decision finding the requisite conditions be-comes final. The parties agree, however, that such termination shall be stayed if any party appeals such finding to the Appeals Panel, and to seek expedited review from the Appeals Panel.”

It is Gilbert’s belief that getting this CBA overturned would also open up the matter of the Personal Conduct Policy, which is a product of the agreement between the union and the league, and attempting to limit Commissioner Roger’s Goodell’s powers in that regard. It remains to be seen if he can pull this off, but his intent has seemed sincere to this point and he will be attending the NFLPA’s meeting to present his case.

Every NFL team elected its new board of representatives this season, three reps per team in all (including alternates). The full list of the Board of Representatives, and the men who will be in charge of voting on this process, are below:

  • Arizona Cardinals: Sam Acho, John Carlson, Rashad Johnson
  • Atlanta Falcons: Justin Blalock, Matt Bryant, Patrick DiMarco
  • Baltimore Ravens:  Chris Canty, Owen Daniels, Torrey Smith
  • Buffalo Bills: Kyle Williams, Corey Graham, Fred Jackson
  • Carolina Panthers: Thomas Davis, Colin Cole, Chase Blackburn Richard Katz
  • Chicago Bears: Robbie Gould Brian Mackler, Charles Tillman, Ryan Mundy
  • Cincinnati Bengals: Vincent Rey, Clint Boling, Cedric Peerman
  • Cleveland Browns: Johnson Bademosi, Craig Robertson, Paul Kruger
  • Dallas Cowboys: Jason Witten, Dan Bailey, Brandon Carr
  • Denver Broncos: Jacob Tamme, David Bruton Camron, Ryan Clady, Von Miller
  • Detroit Lions: Glover Quinn, Don Carey, Jed Collins
  • Green Bay Packers: Jordy Nelson, Tim Masthay, Micah Hyde
  • Houston Texans: Chris Myers, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Joseph Jason
  • Indianapolis Colts: Dwayne Allen, D'Qwell Jackson, Andy Studebaker
  • Jacksonville Jaguars: Red Bryant, Alan Ball, Cecil Shorts
  • Kansas City Chiefs: Chase Daniel, Dwayne Bowe, Kevin Vickerson
  • Miami Dolphins: John Denny, Brandon Fields, Mike Pouncey
  • Minnesota Vikings: Chad Greenway, John Sullivan, Gerald Hodges
  • New England Patriots: Matthew Slater, Stephen Gostkowski, Darrelle Revis, Ryan Wendell
  • New Orleans Saints: Zach Strief, Luke McCown, Thomas Morstead
  • New York Giants:  ashad Jennings, Quintin Demps, Justin Pugh
  • New York Jets: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Folk, Nick Mangold
  • Oakland Raiders: Usama Young, Matt Schaub, Antonio Smith
  • Philadelphia Eagles: DeMeco Ryans, Malcolm Jenkins, Nick Foles
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, Shaun Suisham
  • San Diego Chargers: Leo Goeas, Rich Ornberger, Darrell Stuckey
  • San Francisco 49ers: Eric Reid, Alex Boone, Bruce Miller
  • Seattle Seahawks: Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, Zach Miller
  • St. Louis Rams: Scott Wells Brian Parker, Jake Long
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vincent Jackson, Josh McCown, Gerald McCoy
  • Tennessee Titans: Jason McCourty, Wesley Woodyard, Leon Washington
  • Washington Redskins: Kedric Golston, Kirk Cousins, Adam Hayward