Veteran offensive lineman Derek Dennis says CFL doesn’t appreciate its players
He’s making ready for coaching camp to start on time however the turbulent state of contract talks between the CFL and CFL Gamers’ Affiliation isn’t giving veteran offensive lineman Derek Dennis a heat, fuzzy feeling concerning the upcoming season.
The 2 sides stay far aside on a deal heading into the resumption of negotiations Wednesday. And time is of the essence as the present contract expires Saturday, the day earlier than camps are scheduled to open.
“As a lot because it doesn’t really feel like issues are shifting alongside, you’ve received to take it upon your self to be a professional and be ready (for camp),” Dennis mentioned in a phone interview. “It doesn’t matter what’s occurring, that is my livelihood, that is how I put garments on my kids’s again and meals on the desk so I have to strategy it with that very same mindset no matter what’s occurring.
“It’s wonderful what may be completed in 24 hours, so I’m simply hoping they spend the time earlier than we’re supposed to depart our houses and households to do the precise factor.”
Talks ended Thursday with the CFLPA rejecting the league’s proposal for a 10-year cope with no will increase to the $5.35-million wage cap and elimination of the Canadian ratio. It additionally excluded a union proposal permitting gamers to barter assured contracts and included a return to padded practices.
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The CFL issued two statements through social media Friday, the second outlining a dedication to a partnership with the gamers. Earlier, the league tweeted: “Canadian gamers are the lifeblood of the CFL recreation, together with the veteran American gamers who make a profession right here. That won’t change.”
However the six-foot-three, 345-pound Calgary Stampeder isn’t feeling that love.
“I don’t really feel like we’re appreciated from a league standpoint,” he mentioned. “The league just lately put out an announcement saying gamers are the lifeblood, but you’re not making an attempt to deal with the lifeblood of our league. It’s hypocritical.
“I perceive bargaining ways and the enterprise and logistical facet of issues, however I really feel like, for me, the league is run by individuals who don’t wish to be revolutionary, who don’t wish to progress and are afraid of change but these are the identical individuals who think about the CFL a serious league. What main league hasn’t needed to cope with some form of change, some sort of evolution to get to the place it’s immediately? In some unspecified time in the future, now we have to be pissed off with simply being ok.”
And for Dennis, it’s time the CFL again up its partnership speak on the bargaining desk.
“On the finish of the day, actions communicate louder than phrases,” he mentioned. “If I inform my youngsters I’ll take them out for ice cream, they’re going to say, ‘Hey, dad, you advised us you have been going to take us to get ice cream, proper?’
“My factor is that if they (CFL) are going to proceed to say these phrases and put out statements and make it seem to be they care about us, why is it so exhausting for them to point out it?”
Dennis, 33, has by no means shied away from telling it like it’s or sticking to his rules. The CFL’s high lineman in 2016 sat out all of final season after asking to be launched or traded by the Edmonton Elks. Upon being let go, Dennis re-signed in January with Calgary, the place he performed 2015-16 and 2018-19.
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“Many individuals assume I’m being unfavorable primarily based on what I do and say however, no, I’m not,” Dennis mentioned. “I really like this league and I simply wish to see it progress and be higher.
“I would like my time within the league, what I’ve executed on the sphere and any impression I’ve made to final generations past me. I don’t wish to simply be one other physique that got here via and nothing developed. Sure, the CFL has survived for 100 years however how lengthy can it survive the way in which it has been shifting? Staying established order and simply surviving is not sensible to me. It is a enterprise and what enterprise are you aware is OK with taking loss after loss after loss? However the motive why they (CFL) are OK with the losses is they simply recoup it from us.”
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What additionally frustrates Dennis is his perception the CFL doesn’t maintain itself to the identical normal as its gamers do for themselves.
“As athletes, we all the time try for excellence,” he mentioned. “Why is it, then, the people who find themselves in control of requiring us to be that manner don’t function in that very same method? That’s my largest qualm.
“On the finish of the day, coaches, groups, house owners, sponsors, all people advantages from what we accomplish that why is it we’re the final individuals who get considered relating to having the ability to profit considerably? Not even on a big scale, simply considerably profit from it. We’re professional athletes and we are able to’t even profit from what we do and the way exhausting we work? The place does the equity are available that?”
Final week, CFL gamers gave their union a 95 per cent strike vote. League gamers have gone on strike as soon as, in 1974, however the scenario was settled earlier than the beginning of the common season.
Dennis mentioned he’ll comply with no matter course the membership needs to go in.
“I pleasure myself on being an awesome teammate and no matter my brethren decides is the most effective plan of action is what I’m keen to do,” Dennis mentioned. “I do know many individuals have been baffled about what I did final 12 months however on the finish of the day, sure, I’m a soccer participant however I’m an individual first.
“If I really feel like I’m being handled unfairly, I don’t have to just accept that unfair therapy. The times of ‘Shut up and play ball,’ are lengthy gone.”
