Lions’ Jalen Reeves-Maybin Elected NFLPA President
Detroit Lions linebacker and special teams contributor Jalen Reeves-Maybin has been elected president of the NFL Players Association by its board of player representatives. Reeves-Maybin succeeds JC Tretter, the former Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns center who served two terms in the role.
In a statement shared by the union, Reeves-Maybin said “it will be my mission to continue to serve and unify our membership, and I look forward to inspiring more players to use their voice in advocating for the union and our game.”
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Tretter was at the helm for the players alongside former executive director DeMaurice Smith during negotiations for the current collective bargaining agreement, which went into effect in 2020. That CBA ushered in significant changes to the league’s schedule, which included a 17-game regular season, a shortened preseason and an expanded playoff format from 12 teams to 14.
Reeves-Maybin was named NFLPA president less than a year after Lloyd Howell was tabbed to replace Smith as executive director. While the CBA remains in effect through the 2030 season, the union may attempt to address working condition issues, such as the use of artificial turf in several NFL stadiums amid concerns the surfaces have contributed to injuries.
In February, Reeves-Maybin signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal to stay in Detroit after his first Pro Bowl selection and a second team All-Pro nod.
The union also announced Friday that four other new players were elected to its executive leadership: Oren Burks, Cameron Heyward, Case Keenum and Thomas Hennessy. They join Thomas Morstead, Calais Campbell, Michael Thomas, Ryan Kelly, Austin Ekeler and Brandon McManus, each of whom was re-elected to a new two-year term.
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