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Jun 18 8:00 PM

Photos from 'State of Play: Football Players and the NCAA'

by Josh Rushing @joshrushing

Fault Lines' investigation into current and former football players' attempts to change the business of college sports premieres on Al Jazeera America on Saturday, June 21, at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT.

"State of Play: Football Players and the NCAA" follows athletes involved in three separate efforts to challenge current NCAA rules: a recent Clemson University graduate who joined a class-action suit against the NCAA to get players a piece of the profits they create; a former Eastern Illinois team captain who is suing the NCAA for damages related to chronic seizures caused by concussions; and the Northwestern football team, which voted in April on whether to create collegiate sports' first union.

The photos that follow, shot by Fault Lines correspondent Josh Rushing, take you behind the scenes of the film.

Darius Robinson was a three-year starting cornerback at Clemson University. Now he's a plaintiff in O'Bannon v. NCAA, a lawsuit filed to get players a share of the wealth they generate. (Click the image to read about the suit.)
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America
Mr. Knickerbocker, just off the Clemson campus, is stocked with gear featuring the school's tiger paw symbol, the 24th most lucrative logo in college sports.
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America
The college football season is months away, but 40,000 fans still came out to watch Clemson's spring game on April 12.
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America
Corporate logos are all over Clemson's stadium, known as Death Valley. In addition to Coke Zero, there are signs for TD Bank, UPS, Verizon, and Nike.
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America
Injuries are a part of the game, even in the spring. According to the NCAA's Injury Surveillance Program, there are an average of 20,718 in college football each year.
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America
Adrian Arrington suffers from brain damage caused by a series of concussions he sustained while playing safety for the Eastern Illinois Panthers.
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America
Arrington and his family face more than $100,000 in medical bills as a result of his concussions. Because of grand mal seizures caused by those injuries, Arrington can't hold down a job.
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America
This past winter, Northwestern players asked the National Labor Relations Board to be considered employees of the university. Players say they want better long-term health care.
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America
On April 25, Northwestern became the first team in college football history to vote on whether to form a union.
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America
Northwestern football players work out on the morning of their union vote.
Josh Rushing for Al Jazeera America

The Fault Lines investigation into college sports, "State of Play: Football Players and the NCAA," premieres on Al Jazeera America on Saturday, June 21, at 7 p.m. Eastern time. It will air again that evening at 10 p.m. Eastern and Sunday, June 22, at 2 a.m. Eastern.   

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Topics
Football, NCAA

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