NFLPA releases statement on Josh Brown criticizing exempt list

Following the placement of New York Giants kicker Josh Brown on the commissioner's exempt list Friday, the NFL Players' Association has released a statement.

Rather than address the questionable punishment and investigation of domestic violence by the league, the PA criticized the use of the exempt list as another example of the imbalance of power held by the league office.

The NFL has the ability to place a player on the exempt list and the player has the right to appeal that decision, if he chooses. The League office wanted unilateral control of this process and accordingly, their system lacks transparency.

Brown has temporarily been placed on the list while the league investigates evidence that he admitted to multiple accounts of domestic violence against his ex-wife.

While on the list, Brown will still be paid, can visit team facilities, attend meetings, and take part in non-football activities with the club's permission, but is barred from practicing or attending games.

In 2014, while Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy faced charges for separate violent crimes, both players were controversially placed on the same list instead of being suspended or cut from their respective teams.