Even though the lockout prompted the NFL Players Association to decertify -- it’s officially not a union but a “trade association’’ -- that doesn’t mean the NFLPA can’t send out press releases. It did so Monday, offering more details about its alternate NFL Draft events called the NFLPA Rookie Debut.

Many current NFL players, including Ahmad Bradshaw, Shaun O’Hara and Zac DeOssie of the Giants and Dustin Keller and Tony Richardson of the Jets, will participate in a series of events the NFLPA is describing as “a celebration of a legacy.’’ Past, present and future NFL players will take part in events starting April 28 at the W Hotel in Times Square.

Twenty of the top-ranked prospects, including Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, expected to go in the first round of the NFL Draft to be held later that night at Radio City Music Hall will attend the NFLPA functions. Those events do not directly conflict with the Draft, which will be spread out over three days.

There was serious consideration by the NFLPA to have the incoming rookies boycott the actual Draft and instead attend an alternate event, but that will not happen. The decertified union has left it up to the rookies to decide if they will attend the draft and meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on stage at Radio City.

There will be a “Let Us Play’’ fitness and skills clinic in Harlem on Saturday, April 30 as well as a "One Team" celebration party at Cipriani on Wall Street later that night.