On November 16, 2026, St. Louis County Library Foundation’s Westfall Politics and History Series will feature former NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith for a discussion and signing of his book, “Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America’s Game.” The event is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Clark Family Branch, located at 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131.

Smith will engage in conversation with Rene Knott, host of “The Rundown with Rene Knott.” Books will be available for purchase and signing from EyeSeeMe.

Press Release: St. Louis County Library

Reproduced in full from the St. Louis County Library.

SLCL’s Westfall Series Hosts Former NFL Players Association Director DeMaurice Smith

November 3, 2026

St. Louis County Library Foundation’s Westfall Politics and History Series presents former executive director of the National Football Leagues Players Association DeMaurice Smith for a discussion and signing of “Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America’s Game.”

The event will take place on Monday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Clark Family Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131.

DeMaurice Smith will be in conversation with Rene Knott, host of the “The Rundown with Rene Knott.” Books will be available for purchase and signing from EyeSeeMe.

During his 14 years as the head of the NFL Players Association, DeMaurice Smith was a front line advocate for football players through some of the most tumultuous crises in NFL history: Colin Kaepernick’s protests, Deflategate, a lockout, two collective bargaining agreements, and more. But after witnessing the league’s troubling response to discrimination and racial unrest, both within the league and beyond, Smith realized it was time to pull back the curtain and speak truth to power.

Drawing from his years of unprecedented access and unparalleled knowledge of America’s favorite sport, Smith documents his years leading the NFLPA and explains how the NFL distorts the truth, telling partial stories to insulate itself and grow its $20-billion-a-year brand.

From contract negotiations to battles over suspensions, Smith shows us how the union fought to protect players from the greed, racism, and dishonesty the league is built on. He also takes readers inside closed-door meetings and unreported conversations and confrontations with the industry’s most powerful figures.

“Turf Wars” puts every NFL crisis, both familiar and lesser known, within a broader cultural and historical context, framing the league’s extraordinary rise as a mirror to America’s own history. Revelatory and profound, “Turf Wars” is a book about the soul of football: its degradation, and how to save it.

DEMAURICE SMITH is the former executive director of the National Football League Players Association. Prior to the NFLPA, Smith was an assistant United States attorney, counsel to the US deputy attorney general, and a partner in major law firms. Smith is currently a law and business professor in residence.

Program sites are accessible. With at least two weeks' notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Call 314-994-3300 or contact us.

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