The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players, and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. In 1984 the NFL Players Association established the Former Player Services Department (FPSD). The mission of the FPSD is to assist former NFL players in their transition from the playing field to life after football. We do the by providing resources and programming to assist them in improving their quality of life and to positively impact the communities in which they live. The Vision: We are 'One Team' built around a fraternity of former NFL players who are aligned, connected, and engaged, working together in life beyone football.