Bears president Ted Phillips and Cliff Stein, the team’s senior director of football administration and general counsel, were the team employees who interacted with the players who arrived for workouts today at Halas Hall.
“Everyone is looking for some clarification,” Phillips said. “I think the players are, the clubs are, and hopefully we’ll get some clarification from the courts soon. Then we’ll go from there.”
Defensive tackle Matt Toeaina, defensive end Israel Idonije and kicker Robbie Gould showed up, allowed past the security gate then greeted at the main entrance at the team’s headquarters by Phillips and/ or Stein. But, they were informed that the building was not open for use by players.
” ‘Until we get some clarification, you’re welcome in,’ ” Phillips recalled telling them. ” ‘But we’re not opening the building for business yet.’ ”
Gould, who is the team’s NFLPA player representative, specifically asked if he could work out.
“The locker room was locked,” he said. “They said there would not be any workouts until clarifications are done.
“It’s not a big deal. It really isn’t.”
Phillips said there are no “hard feelings.”
“It’s never been about the team versus the players. We love the players,” he said. “They’re what makes the game great, and we’re hoping that as soon as both sides can get a collective bargaining agreement worked out, then we’ll be able to get back to playing football, which is what both sides want.”
