Bengals vote unanimously to recertify

The Bengals became the fifth NFL team that voted to recertify as a union.

Player representative Andrew Whitworth says the Bengals unanimously approved the recertification on Friday night. The Broncos, Chiefs, Jaguars and Cowboys also voted unanimously to recertify earlier in the day.

The Bengals took their vote after reporting for the start of training camp.

The NFL Players Association decertified last March, part of its bargaining strategy with team owners. They reached an agreement earlier this week. A majority of NFL players must vote to recertify as a union so that details of the new agreement can be completed.

Free agents who have agreed to deals with teams will be able to sign their contracts and start practicing once the players recertify and the labor deal is finished.