As the National Football League becomes more political, it should come as no surprise that the union that represents the players has their own political action committee, and they're cutting a check to San Antonio Congressman Will Hurd, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The Players Association’s One Team PAC received donations from all 32 teams last year, giving them some $700,000 to spread around. Congressman Hurd's re-election campaign received a $5,000 donation, which is the maximum allowed.
Newsradio 1200 WOAI's Michael Board reached out to Hurd's campaign, which declined to comment for this story.
SMU political analyst Cal Jillson says, by looking at who also received checks from the PAC, it is clear the players want to continue their recent political influence. They gave to Congressman Kevin McCarthy, who is House Majority Leader and Senator Dick Durbin, who is the minority whip.
"They're spreading their money around, trying to insure that doors of decision makers remain open," he says.
The Players Association has been increasingly active in the debate over free speech and access to care. Last October, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee held a forum that featured the widows of former players as a way to examine the long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries.
Rice University Political Analyst Mark Jones says the donation to Congressman Hurd highlights his bipartisan efforts.
"Will Hurd is seen as a consensus builder, and not hyper partisan."
The PAC also sent $5,000 to Democrat Colin Allred, who is trying to unseat Dallas Republican Congressman Pete Sessions. Allred is a former player for the Tennessee Titans.