The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) recently released its annual report card, highlighting significant disparities in how teams treat players’ families. The Cleveland Browns don’t have an official post-game meeting spot within their city-owned stadium. The Jacksonville Jaguars were given an F grade for their family-friendliness. The Cincinnati Bengals were given an F-minus on their report card, even after taking steps to make their in-game family area better.
The Browns lack of a post-game destination is particularly worrisome when considering how to keep families engaged after games. Left guard Joel Bitonio, lauding the changes, particularly in meeting family needs, noted that there’s still work to be done.
In stark comparison, the Bengals invested in a kid and family-friendly outdoor space. They organized a big black pop-up tent 20 yards from the players’ parking. The nonprofit has just completed an extensive renovation of its home base. They introduced an indoor post-game social area, prioritizing family and friend interactions after games. During its visit, the NFLPA announced that Cincinnati will start offering child care services during home games in 2025.
Jaguars’ report card exposed these obvious shortcomings, as jaguars earned an F in Family Treatment. This is especially alarming news. The team is setting itself up to move its home games to a more favorable venue in 2027, probably one based in Orlando. According to Jaguars officials, improvements to family entertainment areas will be among the most sweeping as the 20-year-old stadium reopens in 2028.
The Dallas Cowboys focused on ensuring a family-friendly atmosphere by providing child care services on game days. They created a new private club section dedicated to Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry. In fact, Cowboys players rated their post-game family room a stunning 9.05 out of 10. Its composite score landed them 2nd among all NFL teams!
Likewise, the Atlanta Falcons did particularly well when it came to their treatment of families, scoring an A-. The franchise brings families together with monthly family dinners, with the organization underlining that they even held an organized trick-or-treat event for players’ children around Halloween. Together, these initiatives build on the league’s commitment to creating a player-friendly family environment.
Kevin Demoff, chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Rams, defended his team’s ugly report card as not being responsible for recent firings. One of those changes, he said, was holding minicamp in Hawaii. He pointed out that the Rams spend nearly $200,000 on a family tent—their Home Zone. Still, he acknowledged that players have complained about the arrangement in extreme cold temperatures.
“There’s nothing we ever do that’s based on the NFLPA surveys,” – Kevin Demoff
Demoff further clarified the Rams’ approach to player and family welfare, stating, “We always do what we think is best for our organization, our players and their families.” He even shared how football operations staff have begun to take greater initiative in how they interact with player families.
The NFLPA spokesperson underscored the importance of understanding the context behind these findings. “We recognize that context and background are essential to understanding the results of this project that serves to improve working environments for our player members.”
Even with the transparent report card, many players voiced their anger at the lack of communication over difficult arrangements regarding family accommodations. One player mentioned, “I know we’re supposed to be the ones to tell our family certain things, but when there’s 30 other things that us as players have to worry about… things can get miscommunicated.”
Another player shared concerns about handling ticket distribution and logistical details: “When we have to [be the person] to give them the tickets or [be the person] to give them all these things, [stuff] happens, you know what I mean?” This underscores the challenges that players must navigate between their work obligations and personal lives.
The issue of ensuring families feel secure and supported was echoed by yet another player: “I want to make sure that my family is OK so I don’t have to worry about them.” This feeling is an all too familiar wish expressed by players to take care of their family while juggling the commitment of their profession.
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