NFL's Catch-22 Could Mean Boon For Vikings in Williams' Case

On Thursday, Minnesota District Court Judge, Gary Larson, published a preliminary ruling in the case involving Minnesota Vikings Pat and Kevin Williams' challenge of their NFL suspensions. In that ruling, Judge Larson reasserted the Williams' right to play in the NFL, free of suspension, until their case has been fully decided. Judge Larson's ruling means that the Williamses could be available to play for the Vikings part, all, or none of the 2009 season.At the heart of Judge Larson's decision is the appeal that the NFL has initiated in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, contending that Judge Magnuson erred in finding that the NFL's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the NFL players' union is subject to Minnesota employment laws. Since a ruling against the Williamses in the Eighth Circuit would eviscerate the Williams' State claim, Judge Larson appears willing to allow the Eighth Circuit to complete its review of the NFL's appeal before c...