NFLPA elects former Packers player as head of union

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 13: JC Tretter #73 of the Green Bay Packers gets in position at the line of scrimmage against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on December 13, 2015 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman JC Tretter, who earned a degree in Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell, was elected the executive director of the NFLPA on Tuesday, making Tretter the first former player to lead the union since Gene Upshaw (1983 to 2008). Tretter is now the third executive director that the NFLPA has had since July, when Lloyd Howell Jr. resigned after several scandals.

After Howell, David White served as the union's interim executive director. White, Tretter and American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti were the final candidates for the position on this round of votes, according to media reports.

Shortly after Howell resigned from his post, Tretter, who had been the NFLPA's chief strategy officer, also resigned back in July. Tretter had been accused of horse-trading with ownership for his own benefit. Months ago, Tretter stated that he had no interest in becoming the union's executive director, but, obviously, something changed between now and then.

Below is Tretter's statement, via the NFLPA, about his election:

There are times in your life when you know that you are exactly where you're supposed to be. That's where I am today. I'm grateful for the trust my fellow players have placed in me, and I'm going to reward that trust with my fullest commitment to these players and chart a new course for our union. My sole goal is to build up the strength of the NFLPA," Tretter said. I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and how important it is to stand shouldertoshoulder with player leadership. This union has always played a critical role in shaping the game, and that work is as important now as it's ever been. The NFLPA needs leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and puts players first every day. That's exactly how I plan to lead."

Two days ago, the NFLPA voted on their player-level leadership, extending a second term to president (and Chicago Bears linebacker) Jalen Reeves-Maybin, re-electing Packers kicker Brandon McManus as a vice president in the union and electing new Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin (previously a team rep for the Indianapolis Colts) to the vice president position.

Tretter played 111 games in the NFL, 31 of which came with Green Bay during his rookie contract. After his four years with the Packers, Tretter played five years with the Cleveland Browns before retiring from the sport in 2022.