DeMaurice Smith will continue as NFLPA Exec Dir without open election

NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith just got the votes necessary to continue in his job as head of the union after a two-hour meeting of player representatives Friday night.

He needed a two-thirds majority or 22 votes to continue without an open election for his post which expires in March '22. The vote was 22-8 with two player representatives abstaining.

The vote was forced after only seven of 14 members of a player "Selection Committee" voted for him to continue on in the job on Tuesday. Had he received less than 22 votes Friday night, there would have been an election for an executive director, which could include Smith as a candidate if he chose to run, before the player leadership.

The vote came hours after the Wall Street Journal reported that Raiders coach Jon Gruden made racist remarks about Smith in an email to an unnamed team executive in '11.

Sources told SBJ that some of the players on the NFLPA call voted for Smith to continue based on "contingencies." Those contingencies being that a successor be found.

Sources said prior to the meeting, some players were concerned they wouldn't be able to find a suitable successor by March '22. Others say player reps were reaching out to potential candidates and names were being floated as a possible next executive director.

In a statement NFLPA President J.C. Tretter said that Smith had an interest in "moving on." "The NFLPA Board of Player Representatives voted to extend DeMaurice Smith for one more term as our union's Executive Director. He was transparent with us about his interest in moving on after this term and for the stability and security of our union, he will work with our player leadership to ensure we have a succession plan in place for the next leader. De cares deeply about our union and about our players and we thank him for staying to help us secure a strong future for the NFLPA."