**Lloyd Howell Jr. Resigns Amid Controversy Over Strip Club Expenses**
Former NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Executive Director Lloyd Howell Jr. has resigned following reports of questionable expenses, including visits to strip clubs. Howell, 59, stepped down on Thursday, acknowledging that his leadership had become a distraction from the union’s mission.
On November 2, 2023, Howell was picked up from Fort Lauderdale International Airport and taken to a Miami Gardens address, later identified as Tootsie’s Cabaret, a well-known strip club in the area. According to an ESPN report, the driver who transported Howell was instructed to wait outside for seven hours while he was inside the establishment. The driver eventually dropped Howell off at his luxury condominium in Sunny Isles Beach around 6 a.m.
During a recent NFLPA summit, Howell and two other union employees reportedly visited another strip club, Magic City, where their expenses totaled $2,426. This included charges for two “VIP rooms” and multiple cash withdrawals ranging from $200 to $525. Howell’s expense report categorized the strip club visit as a “Player Engagement Event to support & grow our Union.”
In his resignation statement, Howell expressed that his leadership had become a distraction to the important work of the NFLPA. He stated, “For this reason, I have informed the NFLPA Executive Committee that I am stepping down as Executive Director of the NFLPA and Chairman of the Board of NFL Players effective immediately. I hope this will allow the NFLPA to maintain its focus on its player members ahead of the upcoming season.”
Howell, who was elected union president in 2024, did not respond to requests for further comment. The NFLPA has declined to comment on the reports regarding Howell’s expenses.
As the NFLPA moves forward, the focus will likely shift back to supporting its player members and addressing the challenges they face in the upcoming season.
**FAQ**
*What led to Lloyd Howell Jr.’s resignation from the NFLPA?*
Lloyd Howell Jr. resigned due to reports of inappropriate expenses related to visits to strip clubs, which he acknowledged had become a distraction from the NFLPA’s mission.
