There have been a lot of questions about the field surface in Brazil, and I wanted to provide the NFLPA’s perspective.   Our number one priority is the health and safety of our players. The concern heading into this week was that the field would be loose, patchy, and lead to excessive slipping. Those conditions are generally more of a playability and performance issue than a significant injury concern.   But safety isn't the only standard. Players should be able to perform at the level they expect of themselves and that fans expect from them. A thin, slick field may not present the same risks as a surface with too much traction, but it still affects performance and the quality of the game.   We've been in regular communication with the league about the field. Both the NFLPA's and the league's field experts have been on the ground in Brazil for days, monitoring conditions and working to make the surface as safe and playable as possible for Sunday.   Based on our experts' assessment, the field needed better traction and stability. They recommended reinforced stitching to help the surface hold together and brought in equipment to reinforce as much of the field as possible before the game. Our experts will remain engaged and continue evaluating conditions through kickoff.   The work happening this week also highlights two larger issues.   First, we need field standards that account for both safety and performance. The NFL, NFLPA, and our field and engineering experts spend a lot of time working on these issues, and we've made progress. But we're not where we need to be yet. We can't have surfaces that melt players' cleats, like we saw in Nashville last week. We can't have frozen fields that create unnecessary risks. The best athletes in the world should be playing on surfaces that meet the same standard of excellence we expect from them every week.   Second, this reinforces one of our concerns about international expansion. Two of the three games played in Brazil have had field-related issues. That's not a coincidence. This time of year makes it extremely challenging to maintain the kind of grass surface we expect at the NFL level.   Our guys are exceptional at what they do, and I'm confident they'll put on a terrific game in Rio this week. They always do. But we owe it to them to provide the best possible opportunity to succeed. Players can overcome a lot. But they shouldn't have to overcome the field. The NFL has been clear they want to continue to grow the game internationally. However, growth alone cannot be the goal. The goal has to be growing the game while maintaining the standards our players deserve. If we can't do both, then we need to make different decisions.

A well-deserved congratulations to @ShedeurSanders, our Week 3 NFLPA #CommunityMVP 🏆 The @Browns quarterback hosted backpack giveaway events for students at Caledonia Elementary and Kirk Middle School in East Cleveland. Shedeur handed out 500 backpacks filled with school supplies and celebrated with students over pizza and ice cream. Learn more about the events here: bit.ly/4xGVPvJ In honor of him being named this week’s #CommunityMVP, the NFLPA is donating $10,000 to Shedeur’s Legendary Impact Foundation. You can also contribute to this charitable cause through our supporting partner @gofundme by using the link below. 🎨: @HeartlentGroup 🔗: bit.ly/4hlU693

Cheers to our Week 2 #CommunityMVP runners-up 🎉

Meet the 2026-2027 NFLPA player reps for the Bengals, Ravens, Titans and Vikings ‼️

Now that the season is underway and fines are being handed out again, it's worth remembering what the NFLPA negotiated this offseason. The changes we made will put real money back in the pockets of hundreds of players at the end of the season.

💯 touchdowns and counting for @CMC_22

Big ups to our Week 2 NFLPA #CommunityMVP, Travon Walker 🙌 The @Jaguars defensive end partnered with @BlessinBackpack to address weekend food insecurity for 500 students at North Shore Elementary, a Title I school in Jacksonville. Through a $5,000 contribution from the Travon Walker Foundation, students received nutritious, kid-friendly food to help bridge the 65-hour hunger gap many face over the weekend. Walker also helped pack all 500 food bags and penned a personal note of support for each student. Learn more about the event here: bit.ly/4yPGw5b In honor of being named this week’s #CommunityMVP, the NFLPA is donating $10,000 to Travon’s foundation. You can also contribute to this charitable cause through our supporting partner @gofundme by using the link below. 🎨: @HeartlentGroup 🔗: bit.ly/3V2SbPh

Just one week into the season and our player members are already making a huge difference in their communities. Give it up for our Week 1 #CommunityMVP runners-up 👏👏

Introducing the first group of our newly elected NFLPA player reps for the 2026-2027 season from the Bills, Commanders, Colts and Eagles. 👏 Throughout the season, these players will work as liaisons in the locker room and help push the union's mission forward to improve the game for members.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the Hispanic changemakers who have shaped football through their passion, culture, and contributions. We honor their legacy and the lasting impact they continue to make on and off the field.

Starting of the 13th season of NFLPA Community MVP strong with our Week 1 winner, Laremy Tunsil 👏 The @commanders offensive tackle partnered with Grammy-nominated artist and DMV native Brent Faiyaz to host The Giving Tree, a back-to-school event for 250 local children from low-income families. Attendees received backpacks with school supplies, were treated to a styling suite for haircuts and customized first-day-of-school outfits, as well as a gaming truck, pizza and ice cream. Learn more about the event here: bit.ly/4ij2gkO In honor of being named this week's #CommunityMVP, the NFLPA is donating $10,000 to Laremy's nonprofit of choice: The Legacy Philanthropy. You can also support this charitable cause through our supporting partner @gofundme by using the link below. 🎨: @HeartlentGroup 🔗: bit.ly/3SYIaSs

New season, new opportunities. 🙌 Wishing our player members the best of luck this 2026–27 season.

Labor Day is a reminder of the power of workers standing together. Since 1956, NFL players have used their collective voice as a union to advocate for better working conditions, protect their rights and advance their interests on and off the field. Today, we celebrate our player members as well as workers everywhere who continue to stand together for fairness, dignity and respect. Happy Labor Day from the NFLPA!

Our last offseason #CMVP is @nickzakelj, whose union advocacy served as a recent example of the actions that have protected player rights over the last seven decades 🙌 When California lawmakers introduced a bill in June that would limit pro athletes' ability to file for workers' compensation, the @49ers offensive lineman stepped up as a leader for his locker room and fellow union members across the league. As a San Francisco player rep, Nick worked with his teammates and union staff to write a statement opposing the bill on behalf of the 49ers locker room. His leadership inspired the LA Chargers to release a similar locker room statement and generated public pressure that resulted in the harmful bill being pulled from consideration.

Stay ready for what's next. The Trust's Free Agent Program helps eligible NFL free agents stay prepared for their next opportunity through training, recovery resources, performance support, and dedicated player services. Learn more ➡️ faprogram.com/

In November of 1956, NFL players came together to ask for something simple yet powerful: a voice. A voice not just on Sundays, but in the decisions that shape their livelihoods. Fair pay, safer working conditions, a pension, and the benefits every worker deserves. As we near 70 years since the NFLPA’s inception, we honor everyone who helped build our union. Here’s to the players who stood together in solidarity, and to the advocates who fought for a better future. Our union is here today because they believed in something bigger than themselves, often knowing that they would not be the ones to benefit from the gains they helped secure. Learn more about this milestone here: nflpa.com/posts/70-years-str…

Today marks the official launch of the new Behavioral Health Network. These enhanced support services are designed to make it easier for eligible players and their dependents to find confidential outpatient care from providers who understand the unique needs of the NFL community. Learn more: bit.ly/4cpTiyt

This Suicide Prevention Month, we’re reminded that meaningful connection and support matter every day. Together, the NFLPA and @NFL encourage the football community to continue looking out for one another and checking in.