While NFL players and owners struggle to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, a number of departing Gators continue to prepare for a future that may be put on hold.
As Florida held its annual Pro Day in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Tuesday, the participating players understood the career they’re training for may not be available to them next year.
“It’s bad timing, man,” senior center Mike Pouncey said. “You want to fulfill all of your dreams, and playing in the NFL is one of my biggest dreams.”
Perhaps none of UF’s NFL Draft hopefuls will be as deeply affected by the lockout as junior safety Will Hill, who chose to leave school early despite the uncertainty.
Hill cited the need to provide for his wife and three children as the primary reason he declared, but the NFL owners’ recent decision to lock out the players would prevent him from signing a contract and profiting from his jump to the pros.
Although he suggested he could get a job, finish his anthropology degree or continue training in Boca Raton, Hill is hopeful the labor situation will be resolved before next season if there is a work stoppage.
“I don’t think this country will let it go without football, because basically everybody loves football,” Hill said. “They will come to an agreement, and eventually they will have a season. And then it’s time to play ball.”
Many of Hill’s teammates shared his optimism but formed contingency plans all the same.
Senior offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert said he would contact some of the veterans from whichever team selects him to prepare for the eventual jump, while Pouncey and senior safety Ahmad Black said they would continue workouts in Gainesville.
Duke Lemmens, a senior defensive end with one semester left until he graduates with a degree in event management, said he would even consider planning a few weddings.
“Easter theme, I could wear my light green pimp suit,” Lemmens said. “We’ll see.”
Players like Lemmens, who could potentially go undrafted, are even more harshly affected than the highly rated prospects.
Undrafted players cannot speak to teams or sign free-agent contracts until a new collective bargaining agreement is in place. This leaves them in limbo, unsure whether they should hold out hope for the NFL or move on with their lives.
“It’s unfortunate,” Lemmens said. “Maybe I’ll sneak into a late round and not have to worry about it. If I have to be a free agent, I’ll just keep waiting for a phone call.”
Each Gator’s fate hinges on the ability of the NFL owners and players to reach an accord as to how the league’s revenue — which totaled $9 billion last season — will be split.
“I’m sure (the owners) will take a little bit of a pay cut,” Black said. “At the end of the day, they own the team, but I don’t think they played a down. I’m sure kids don’t go to the store and say, ‘I want the owner’s jersey.’
“I’m not going to take shots at the owners or anything like that. I’m sure they’ll come to an agreement.”
