Thoughts on the NFL Combine*
*The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Don Davis and do not reflect the opinions or positions of the NFLPA or its affiliates.
Last week, hopeful NFL prospects, club and league staff, and avid football fans tuned in to the NFL Scouting Combine. While criticism of this event resurfaces every year, recent negative comments from prominent voices in the pro football community amplified the critique. Commentary regarding the utility and humanity of the event appear to fall primarily into two camps: 1) those who see it as essential, and a continuation of “how we’ve always done things”, and 2) those who view it as exploitative, in need of an overhaul. This longstanding debate questions the mindset of those who plan, utilize, and participate in the event—suggesting antiquated views and a need to rethink the approach to evaluating and ranking top football talent.
As a three-year starting linebacker for the University of Kansas in 1995, I aspired to be among the 300+ college players invited to the NFL combine. The event was not televised initially, nor was social media available to highlight the accomplishments of collegiate players on and off the field. While I did not receive an invite, I was fortunate enough to participate in my university pro day, which led to other teams coming to KU to assess my skills. I remember the pressure I put on myself to perform perfectly, not realizing that auditions for future employment in the National Football League (NFL) can add tremendous value to your draft status but can also be used to undervalue your brand.
Over the last 12+ years of advocating for the rights and welfare of players that come into and through the NFL, I often debated with various stakeholders the merits of the combine evaluation process. These conversations require a delicate balance of weighing player protection and player agency. One perspective considers the difficulty in encouraging a young adult to consider passing on an opportunity available to only a select few. An alternative mindset suggests that the experience is entirely useless, especially given that the original purpose was to allow NFL teams to evaluate prospective players when those chances were limited. This argument suggests that the evaluative component is purely arbitrary, designed for the entertainment value of club staff and the football public, and to place players in uncomfortable situations. Although the answer is more complex than just eliminating the combine, I now understand that the benefits of being scrutinized at this stage may not outweigh the costs.
Each year the NFLPA hosts the annual Board of Player Representatives meeting where players discuss similar issues described as perfect problems with imperfect solutions. As the Player Reps discuss complex issues that affect the player experience, the point is stressed that binary thinking does not allow for critical reflection—the questioning of one’s assumptions. Before deciding on the fate of the combine, a shift in mindset is necessary to examine both the short and long-term best interests of the players. This can be challenging for those who still carry the outdated opinion that it is a privilege to have the opportunity to audition for a spot in the NFL, and as such, players should be thankful. Comments like these highlight the simple fact that thoughts produce habits, and habits—actions without thought—can contribute to adverse outcomes, including exploitation. A privilege or not, there's no question that the combine evaluation process should be changed to no longer be viewed as exploitative.
