India, July 18 -- Lloyd Howell is stepping down from his role as executive director of the NFL Players Association, effective immediately.

"Our members deserve a union that will fight relentlessly for their health, safety, financial futures, and long-term well-being," Howell acknowledged in a statement on Thursday night.

"My priority has been to lead that fight by serving this union with focus and dedication. It's clear that my leadership has become a distraction to the important work the NFLPA advances every day."

Howell's abrupt exit comes as a result of the backlash that came after the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast that highlighted a 61-page arbitration report, which had been circulating quietly earlier this year.

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