Feud grows between NFL, Jones over Goodell
decision to suspend star running back Ezekiel Elliott for six games over alleged domestic violence.
Elliott abandoned his legal fight over the suspension Wednesday. He has five games left to serve.
“Your client’s antics, whatever their motivation, are damaging the league and reflect conduct detrimental to the league’s best interests,” the letter said.
Jones has said he has issues with compensation in the deal, along with concerns about the escalation of player protests involv- ing the national anthem and how the league has handled them. He also has suggested that owners should revisit the power that the position wields.
The letter confirmed that Jones was removed as a non-voting member of the compensation committee after threatening to sue.
Jones, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, was accused of sharing with all the owners an outdated document related to the negotiations with Goodell.
“Someone who is genuinely concerned ‘that the owners know the truth about the negotiations’ would not deliberately distribute such an outdated document, particularly when he has in his possession drafts that are current and accurately reflect the actual state of negotiations, or threaten to sue the league and its owners if he does not get his way,” the letter said.
Jones has acknowledged being at odds with the compensation committee chairman, Atlanta owner Arthur Blank, over the Goodell talks. They didn’t speak on the field before the Falcons’ 27-7 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday.