Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell resigned last week after a series of controversies.
“Obviously it’s unfortunate to see that happen with your union,” tight end Cole Kmet, the Bears’ union representative, said Wednesday. “It is really unfortunate. Hopefully we can respond and put good leadership in place.”
Just two weeks ago, ESPN reported an arbitration ruling that found NFL executives urged owners to reduce guaranteed salaries to players was kept confidential by NFLPA leaders, even from some of its own membership. The next day, reports said Howell was also a part-time employee of The Carlyle Group, which is a private equity firm authorized by the NFL to buy minority stakes in its teams — a potential conflict of interest.