J.C. Tretter

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JC Tretter
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NFLPA President JC Tretter Says 'Not All Deals Are Perfect', 'We Now Must Unite'

Mar 15, 2020
FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. On Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in the midst of some 2,500 union members voting on a CBA, Tretter was elected as the new NFL Players Association's president, replacing Eric Winston, who no longer is eligible for the position. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. On Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in the midst of some 2,500 union members voting on a CBA, Tretter was elected as the new NFL Players Association's president, replacing Eric Winston, who no longer is eligible for the position. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)

It was announced on Sunday morning that the NFL Players Association voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement.

Cleveland Browns center J.C. Tretter, voted as the new NFLPA president on March 10, released a statement on the decision:

"We understand that not all deals are perfect, and we don't take the gains we wanted, but couldn't get, lightly," Tretter wrote in part. "We now must unite and move forward as a union."

The vote tally was 1,019 to 959 in favor of the new CBA, per the NFLPA, which takes effect immediately and will run through 2030.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith also offered statements:

There are several key changes:

Prominent players such as Aaron Rodgers, J.J. Watt, Richard Sherman and Russell Wilson publicly voiced their disagreement with the proposed CBA. A sticking point seemed to be the added 17th regular-season game. 

ESPN's Dan Graziano and Cameron Wolfe reported on March 9 that players who had already cast their vote would not be allowed to change their minds despite many requesting to do so. Given how close the vote tally was, that could have made a difference in the outcome.

The new league year is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Browns' JC Tretter Elected NFLPA President over Michael Thomas, Sam Acho

Mar 10, 2020
Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 27-19. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 27-19. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter was elected as the new president of the NFL Players Association on Tuesday.

Tretter beat out fellow finalists Sam Acho (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Michael Thomas (New York Giants) and Russell Okung (Los Angeles Chargers), who'd dropped out of the race and endorsed Thomas after filing a complaint Monday with the National Labor Relations Board.

The 29-year-old New York native provided union members with a 13-point breakdown of the collective bargaining agreement proposal, which is in the final stage of voting through Saturday.

It didn't include a recommendation of whether to vote for or against the new CBA, so his personal stance is unknown.

Tretter is a seven-year NFL veteran. He spent his first four seasons with the Green Bay Packers and the last three as a member of the Browns.

The 2013 fourth-round pick played college football in the Ivy League at Cornell.

He graduated from the university's School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Tretter could be thrust into a high-pressure situation in his new role if players reject the CBA proposal, which would force them back to the bargaining table with NFL owners.

The current CBA runs through the 2020 NFL season.

NFL Rumors: Russell Okung, Michael Thomas Among NFLPA President Nominees

Mar 9, 2020
Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Russell Okung (76) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Russell Okung (76) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Russell Okung, Michael Thomas, J.C. Tretter and Sam Acho were nominated for president of the NFL Players Association, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Eric Winston currently serves as the NFLPA president, and members of the players' union are continuing deliberations over whether to approve the collective bargaining agreement proposed by league owners.

Pelissero provided some context to the nominees' positions regarding the negotiating process:

The CBA in place covers the 2020 season, so the immediate threat of a work stoppage doesn't yet loom. However, negotiations between the respective sides are unlikely to become easier should a majority of players vote against the proposal.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday that some owners are hopeful the deal will fall through. The CBA on the table calls for a 17-game season, but a handful of owners are aiming to grow the regular season to 18 games down the road.

"They think they can get a better deal next year," one source said to Fowler. "They feel they gave up too much on the economics."

The NFLPA announced it extended the voting deadline to March 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET, which is four days before the NFL's 2020 league year officially begins.

Speaking with NBC Sports' Peter King, Winston remained optimistic the proposed CBA will pass.

"I've gotten that question a few times," he said. "I would think it would pass. I would think it would pass by a lot. It's important that we let the process play out, and important that all players understand the issues and vote their conscience."

Winston added that players will "be approaching some tense times" should the CBA negotiations fail, however.

The former offensive tackle was unanimously elected to a third term as NFLPA president in 2018. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted he cannot run again since he didn't play in either of the last two seasons.

JC Tretter, Browns Reportedly Agree to 3-Year, $32.5 Million Contract Extension

Nov 7, 2019
Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) blocks during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. The Seahawks won 32-28. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) blocks during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. The Seahawks won 32-28. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Offensive lineman JC Tretter reportedly received a new long-term contract from the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. 

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tretter agreed to a three-year deal worth $32.5 million total that includes $23 million in guaranteed money. 

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield averages 2.82 seconds to throw, 12th among all qualified quarterbacks. He hasn't found much success with an NFL-high 12 interceptions, and opposing defenses have sacked him 23 times in eight games. 

The offensive line has been one of many problems for the Browns in 2019. Pro Football Focus' Austin Gayle ranked that unit as the NFL's 11th-worst after Week 8. 

Tretter, though, is a standout in that group, with Pro Football Focus ranking him among the top 10 centers in pass blocking, run blocking and overall offensive grade through the first seven games. 

Originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2013, Tretter spent four years of his career with the organization. The 28-year-old went to Cleveland as a free agent in March 2017 when he signed a three-year contract. 

Now in his third season with the Browns, Tretter has played every snap at center for 40 consecutive games.  

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