“It’s clear that my leadership has become a distraction to the important work the NFLPA advances every day,” Howell said in a statement late on Thursday night.

Howell's resignation came after an outside investigator received documents this week showing that Howell charged the NFL Players Association for a pair of visits to strip clubs.

Howell went on to note that his presence has become a "distraction" and ultimately prompted his decision to step away.