Part 3/7:
The term "collusion" became a point of contention when Stephen A. Smith invoked it to describe a potential conspiracy among NFL teams to pass over Sanders. He raised concerns that the collective decision to delay his drafting minimized the excitement surrounding the event, underscoring a troubling narrative of injustice.
The argument for collusion posits that if teams coordinated their decisions, it suggests a manipulation of the draft process that undermines the integrity of player evaluations. However, this perspective was met with skepticism, as it suggests an unrealistic level of cooperation and secrecy among rival teams.