NFLPA's DeMaurice Smith: NFL has 'history of being bullies'

A U.S. congressional report recently obtained by Outside the Lines concluded that the NFL staged an improper campaign to influence a government study on brain injuries and football.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith took aim at the NFL for both that issue and the ongoing court battle regarding Tom Brady's four-game suspension in an appearance on ESPN on Monday.

"The league has a history of being bullies, and today we're filing a brief because the commissioner decided to be a bully when it came to the fair hearing of a player," Smith said.

"Today, hearing that report from Capitol Hill just reaffirms the fact that the league has its own view about how they care about the players of the National Football League. Thankfully we have a union that fights them, but everybody now knows that the league really doesn't believe in following the science. The league doesn't really have a commitment to the healthy and safety of our players."

Smith promised the NFLPA will continue to file lawsuits when necessary to hold the league office accountable, meanwhile dedicating all resources to ensuring the safety of players.

"Any time you fight bullies, you always hope that you beat them at best, restrict them at least," Smith added. "And that's the job of this union."

The NFL released a statement in response to Monday's report, again denying the allegations.

"We are reviewing the (congressional) report but categorically reject any suggestion of improper influence," league spokesman Brian McCarthy said.