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Multiple league sources said Friday the Browns rookies and their agents ranged from baffled to upset that Browns coach Eric Mangini took the rookies on a 10-hour bus trip to Hartford, Conn., Friday to work his football camp today and then will bus them back home tonight.
"It's a sophisticated form of hazing," said one league source. "I've never heard of anything like it."
Mangini's eighth annual football camp, for under-resourced children in grades 8-12, is voluntary for the rookies -- but all felt compelled to attend, a source said. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
"It's voluntary, but it's not really voluntary," said one source. "These players are fighting for starting jobs and playing time. What are they supposed to do, say 'No, I'm not going?' "
Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis issued the following response in an e-mail:
"This was not mandatory. Eric had reservations about doing it at first, and then people told him they thought it would be a good opportunity for them to be exposed to this type of event, and having the chance to work with the kids.
"Since the rookies have been back, we have a lot of programs that are set up for them which are designed to improve them professionally, build team unity and also help serve the community. In fact, since they have been back in mid-May, they have visited a Veterans hospital and are scheduled to visit a school next week.
"Also, if anyone is 'dismayed,' nobody has expressed that to anyone in the organization."
One source said the rookies aren't opposed to charity work, "but put them on the plane. The camp comes right in the middle of voluntary minicamp and next week's organized team activities. They're expected to show up Monday and perform at a very high level after being on a bus for more than 20 hours over the weekend."
Another source said the trip most likely violates the rules of what's reasonable.
Profootballtalk.com reported late Friday night that according to a league source, both the NFL and the NFL Players Association are looking into the trip to determine if it violated the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
But an NFL Players Association source said the Browns are not breaking any rules as long as the trip was voluntary and that the players wouldn't suffer any consequences from not going.
"Even the Browns veterans are baffled by it," said one source.
A release from the Browns this week said the "entire Browns 2009 rookie class and the Browns coaching staff, as well as representatives of four other NFL teams, will be present to help work with the kids."
The camp, which serves 800 children, takes place at Mangini's alma mater, Bulkeley High School, in Hartford. Proceeds benefit the Carmine and Frank Mangini Foundation, named after Mangini's late father and uncle.
"It's really a great day," Mangini said at voluntary camp Thursday. "It gives kids a chance to get involved in football and get some coaching that they may not be able to otherwise get. I think it's as fulfilling for us as it is for any of the kids who take part. I can't thank all of the people who have helped me and helped us at the foundation put it together enough."
Mangini said he hopes to start a similar camp in Cleveland and that he and his wife, Julie, are looking forward to getting involved here. "I am excited about being able to do some things to give back," he said.
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"It's a sophisticated form of hazing," said one league source. "I've never heard of anything like it."
Mangini's eighth annual football camp, for under-resourced children in grades 8-12, is voluntary for the rookies -- but all felt compelled to attend, a source said. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
"It's voluntary, but it's not really voluntary," said one source. "These players are fighting for starting jobs and playing time. What are they supposed to do, say 'No, I'm not going?' "
Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis issued the following response in an e-mail:
"This was not mandatory. Eric had reservations about doing it at first, and then people told him they thought it would be a good opportunity for them to be exposed to this type of event, and having the chance to work with the kids.
"Since the rookies have been back, we have a lot of programs that are set up for them which are designed to improve them professionally, build team unity and also help serve the community. In fact, since they have been back in mid-May, they have visited a Veterans hospital and are scheduled to visit a school next week.
"Also, if anyone is 'dismayed,' nobody has expressed that to anyone in the organization."
One source said the rookies aren't opposed to charity work, "but put them on the plane. The camp comes right in the middle of voluntary minicamp and next week's organized team activities. They're expected to show up Monday and perform at a very high level after being on a bus for more than 20 hours over the weekend."
Another source said the trip most likely violates the rules of what's reasonable.
Profootballtalk.com reported late Friday night that according to a league source, both the NFL and the NFL Players Association are looking into the trip to determine if it violated the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
But an NFL Players Association source said the Browns are not breaking any rules as long as the trip was voluntary and that the players wouldn't suffer any consequences from not going.
"Even the Browns veterans are baffled by it," said one source.
A release from the Browns this week said the "entire Browns 2009 rookie class and the Browns coaching staff, as well as representatives of four other NFL teams, will be present to help work with the kids."
The camp, which serves 800 children, takes place at Mangini's alma mater, Bulkeley High School, in Hartford. Proceeds benefit the Carmine and Frank Mangini Foundation, named after Mangini's late father and uncle.
"It's really a great day," Mangini said at voluntary camp Thursday. "It gives kids a chance to get involved in football and get some coaching that they may not be able to otherwise get. I think it's as fulfilling for us as it is for any of the kids who take part. I can't thank all of the people who have helped me and helped us at the foundation put it together enough."
Mangini said he hopes to start a similar camp in Cleveland and that he and his wife, Julie, are looking forward to getting involved here. "I am excited about being able to do some things to give back," he said.
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