NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement
Offseason Workouts
Section 6Pre-Training Camp Period
During the period beginning with the end of the offseason program and ending with the mandatory reporting date for preseason training camp for veteran players (as provided in Article 23, Section 5(a)-(c)), or such date for Rookies or first-year players (as provided in Article 23, Section 5(e)), as applicable, no such player shall be permitted to participate in any organized workouts or organized football activity of any kind, or any football activity with any coach, on either a voluntary or involuntary basis, in connection with or on behalf of the Club or a Club Affiliate. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, during the five consecutive days immediately prior to the mandatory veteran reporting date for each Club’s preseason training camp (as specified in Article 23, Section 5(a)-(c)), no veteran player (other than (i) quarterbacks and (ii) other players who (1) were on the Injured Reserve, Physically Unable to Perform or Nonfootball Injury or Illness list at the end of the previous season; or (2) failed a physical examination given by a team physician at any time after the last game of the previous season; or (3) sustained a football-related or nonfootball-related injury or illness during the offseason; or (4) had surgery during the offseason regarding a football or nonfootballrelated condition regardless of when such condition arose) shall be permitted to participate in any organized workouts or other organized football activity of any kind, or any football activity with any coach, on either a voluntary or involuntary basis, in connection with or on behalf of the Club or Club Affiliate. (Except that a player in categories (ii)(1)–(4) above who fully participates in all Phase Three activities and the Mandatory Veteran Minicamp during the club’s offseason workout program shall not be permitted to participate during this five day period.) This prohibition shall apply notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, or any provision in any Player Contract. Notwithstanding the above, nothing in this Section shall prevent any player from using any Club facility, subject to League rules and the Club’s permission, to work out on his own at any time on a voluntary basis without the participation of any coach, trainer or other Club personnel except that the Club’s strength and conditioning coaches may direct a player’s individual workout in the weight room and may supervise use of the weight room to prevent injury and correct misuse of equipment. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit organized player activity in personal appearances or promotional activities on behalf of the Club or the League that the player has agreed to.