Negotiations for a new CBA broke off March 11. The union announced that day it was dissolving itself and no longer represented the players. That allowed players to file a class action antitrust lawsuit in federal court. Hours later, at midnight, the owners locked out the players, creating the NFL’s first work stoppage since 1987.
Racial discrimination damaged the Redskins performance on the field for another reason. Many of the prime draft picks were African Americans, and because the Redskins were perennially bad Marshall often had the first slot in the draft. But year after year he would pass up future Hall of Famers like Jim Brown and Jim Parker
As he progressed through high school, leading Saline to a pair of state tournament runs, including one runner up finish, the college offers started pouring in. In the summer before his senior season, he committed to Virginia Tech, in part because of his close relationship with offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, a former Michigan quarterbacks coach
