Representatives from the NFL Players Association met with league officials Tuesday with talks geared toward improving the workplace environment in the NFL.
The three-hour meeting focused exclusively on that topic, which became a necessary focus following a league investigation into the Miami Dolphins. Multiple players, including Richie Incognito, were found guilty of harassing teammate Jonathan Martin in what became a hotly debated and well-publicized magnification of locker room culture.
George Atallah, assistant executive director of external affairs, issued a statement Tuesday, saying “Discussions between owners and players about a professional workplace were positive. We will continue to work together to set the highest workplace standards for everyone in the business of football.”
Dolphins coach Joe Philbin and owner Stephen Ross said in March changes in their own locker room would start immediately — and at the top.
“As I examine ways that as the head coach of Dolphins that I can do better, I think the visibility factor can be a difference,” Philbin said at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. “That’s one of the things that I’m going to do better. It’s not that I’ve never been, but I think what happens a lot of times with coaches is you’re conflicted like, ‘Should I watch this blitz tape or I’ve got get that third-down film watched?’ Sometimes it’s a better use of head coach’s time to walk through the training room, walk through the locker room, walk through the hallways.
“It’s not to say I’ve never done that stuff, but I think it’s fair to say that I’m going to do it more.”
Incognito is subject to NFL discipline for his role, commissioner Roger Goodell said at the owner’s meetings, but only after clincal evaluation. He is a free agent.
Martin was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he reunites with his college coach, Jim Harbaugh.
The NFL Competition Committee weighed in on what St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher called hazing.
“It’s a behavior change and we feel it starts with leadership and that’s leadership with the head coach, the owner or the general manager, but also leadership on your football team,” Fisher said last month. “Those are the areas we are going to focus on this spring.”