20 Photos Remembering the 1987 NFL Strike

Carly Tennes Published 11/16/2024 in wow

The 1987 NFL season had one major defining feature: The National Football League Players Association mid-season strike.

Just two weeks into the season, football stars across the nation decided to demonstrate, hitting the picket lines with demands that included better pay, a stronger pension, and the removal of artificial turf. Despite only lasting 24 days, the strike had a major impact on football as we know it.

From picket line photos to "the replacements" getting their heads in the game, here are 20 photos of the 1987 NFL strike.

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1.
Washington players on the picket line.
2.
An NFL player boasts a sign while demonstrating.
3.
Replacement NFL players arrive in a bus, crossing the picket line.
4.
Protesters picket outside of RFK Stadium.
5.
A player sports a sandwich board outlining their demands.
6.
Fans demonstrate on behalf of their favorite players.
7.
Other union members come out to support the NFL players.
8.
Picketing players outside of their stadium.
9.
Dallas Cowboys players as seen during the strike.
10.
Analysts discuss the strike on 'NFL Today'
11.
Players for the Miami Dolphins demonstrate outside of their team’s training camp.
12.
A replacement player practices catching the ball.
13.
A replacement athlete side-eyes the camera while in uniform.
14.
Anthony Allen as seen during one of the three replacement games played during the strike.
15.
Washington Commanders players hit the picket line.
16.
New England fans wait to receive refunds for their tickets.
17.
Washington Commaders players protest in front of a bus of their replacements.
18.
An NFL player heckles replacement footballers arriving to take their spot.
19.
Members of the Philadelphia Eagles protest outside of their stadium.
20.
Giants players wear their demands on their chest during a demonstration.

1.
Washington players on the picket line.
2.
An NFL player boasts a sign while demonstrating.
3.
Replacement NFL players arrive in a bus, crossing the picket line.
4.
Protesters picket outside of RFK Stadium.
5.
A player sports a sandwich board outlining their demands.
6.
Fans demonstrate on behalf of their favorite players.
7.
Other union members come out to support the NFL players.
8.
Picketing players outside of their stadium.
9.
Dallas Cowboys players as seen during the strike.
10.
Analysts discuss the strike on 'NFL Today'
11.
Players for the Miami Dolphins demonstrate outside of their team’s training camp.
12.
A replacement player practices catching the ball.
13.
A replacement athlete side-eyes the camera while in uniform.
14.
Anthony Allen as seen during one of the three replacement games played during the strike.
15.
Washington Commanders players hit the picket line.
16.
New England fans wait to receive refunds for their tickets.
17.
Washington Commaders players protest in front of a bus of their replacements.
18.
An NFL player heckles replacement footballers arriving to take their spot.
19.
Members of the Philadelphia Eagles protest outside of their stadium.
20.
Giants players wear their demands on their chest during a demonstration.