The players are at fault. They didn't negotiate in good faith.

[Da Swami]

Adrian Petersen's comments should open some eyes to that.

How anybody can side with the players after those comments is beyond me.

If that doesn't say it all, then nothing does.

Time to bust the millionaires union once and for all.

[Raiders69]

Seems the players are over emotional, not conducting themselves like professionals, but only like kids. Yes I am pro players in this case too. If you know the history of the NFL players health after football, it is quite shocking with the brain damage they have to live with. It has been scientifically proven that NFL players suffer from depression, brain damage etc... I think the players should do everything possible to ensure their health and retirement to the extreme, because in the end, life is more important that putting yourself to risk with these unfortunate incidents previously, case in point Dave Duerson

[tommyz2kool]

Maybe my bum is pretty?

Your post is utter nonsense.

Briefly: The NFL has a "legal" monopoly. If the NFL refuses to employ a player, he has no other profession football league which competes directly against the NFL where he can become employed.

NFL players have played in CFL and Arena League. To suggest the NFL is a legal monopoly because they are the only ones that have the NFL is like saying apple is a legal monopoly because they're the only ones that can make Mac computers.

Also if the NFL is a legal monopoly as you suggest, then they would not be able to be sued for antitrust in the first place, since after all, they are legal. Things the NFL does may be anticompetitive, but its not a monopoly.

[kitared]

Thats very true about football being like a drug. I played up to the Junior college level (I was a 6 ft, slow TE so not much opportunity beyond the JC level). But when I was done playing the hardest thing for me to do was watch a game from the stands. It was overwhelming the feeling I had of wanting to be on that field. You have no idea that feeling even exists until you experience it. I couldnt believe how much I missed it. When I was playing the thought of no more practicing and no more conditioning sounded GREAT. And at first it was. Then as the next years season got closer I began to miss it more and more. To this day I cant watch a game in person without that overwhelming feeling of wanting to play.

As for players and their salaries. For those who think they are overpaid. You try living your life with absolutely no privacy. Everywhere you go people bug you for autographs, tickets, merchandise, MONEY, etc. Reporters write disrespectful things about you and then ask you for an interview like their your best buddies. And if you deny them then THEY take it personal and write even more to make you look bad. If you say no to a fan about any of the above mentioned stuff then they tell everyone they know what a POS you are. The players dont just play a game, they have to give up their lives for the game. Im sorry but they earn EVERY pennie.

MB, you know I know.... my husband has played in every league possible outside of the CFL. Now he coaches the AFL team here. Even locally people remember him or think that he plays football. Anytime we go out to eat...its always interesting. I can't even imagine what the big name guys have to go through.

He tells me all the time "Playing football is like a drug, you can never get enough of it" It was so hard when he couldn't play anymore. Just happy he found a job in it and he enjoys it.

I'm always going to be on the Players side...... Somethings you don't understand when your outside looking in.

[KensaiKatai]

MB, you know I know.... my husband has played in every league possible outside of the CFL. Now he coaches the AFL team here. Even locally people remember him or think that he plays football. Anytime we go out to eat...its always interesting. I can't even imagine what the big name guys have to go through.

He tells me all the time "Playing football is like a drug, you can never get enough of it" It was so hard when he couldn't play anymore. Just happy he found a job in it and he enjoys it.

I'm always going to be on the Players side...... Somethings you don't understand when your outside looking in.

first of all thank you for sharing your experience.

secondly, i have a lot of friends who currently play in the NFL and or have played in the NFL so i wouldn't consider myself on the outside

yet i'm not really siding with the players here...well let me put it this way.. i'm not siding with their representative Demaurice smith, he strikes me as a glory hound who DOESNT, i repeat, DOESNT have the best players interest at heart here. I can pretty much guarantee if Upshaw was still around everyone would be happy right about now, players and owners, and most importantly fans included.

[Okie]

Seems the players are over emotional, not conducting themselves like professionals, but only like kids. Yes I am pro players in this case too. If you know the history of the NFL players health after football, it is quite shocking with the brain damage they have to live with. It has been scientifically proven that NFL players suffer from depression, brain damage etc... I think the players should do everything possible to ensure their health and retirement to the extreme, because in the end, life is more important that putting yourself to risk with these unfortunate incidents previously, case in point Dave Duerson

Hi Joe!

[als_shadow]

NFL players have played in CFL and Arena League. To suggest the NFL is a legal monopoly because they are the only ones that have the NFL is like saying apple is a legal monopoly because they're the only ones that can make Mac computers.

Also if the NFL is a legal monopoly as you suggest, then they would not be able to be sued for antitrust in the first place, since after all, they are legal. Things the NFL does may be anticompetitive, but its not a monopoly.

First, try to start up your own fall professional league. When you get sued, explain to me why the NFL sued you.

Second, so many people just don't want to get the "legal" monopoly status. The deal is - as short as possible - as long as the players have a union, the owners keep their "legal" monopoly status. Once it's gone, the players can file against the owners under anti-trust legislation because... the NFL ACTS like a monopoly without it's "legal" monopoly status.

Also, USA law only applies to USA entities. The CFL is in Canada. Totally not relevant to your argument.

[kitared]

first of all thank you for sharing your experience.

secondly, i have a lot of friends who currently play in the NFL and or have played in the NFL so i wouldn't consider myself on the outside

yet i'm not really siding with the players here...well let me put it this way.. i'm not siding with their representative Demaurice smith, he strikes me as a glory hound who DOESNT, i repeat, DOESNT have the best players interest at heart here. I can pretty much guarantee if Upshaw was still around everyone would be happy right about now, players and owners, and most importantly fans included.

Glad to see someone can have a great conversation around here ;)

I actually don't know much about Demurice Smith. I do know that as much respect and love that I had (and still have) for Upshaw, I don't think he always made the best decisions.

But, we shall see how it all pans out. I think in all honestly we only know what they want us to know and not the full story.

[MileHighRaider]

And if they didn't play the game, you would be able to enjoy your Sunday's during the season.

Everyone wants to complain about how much money these guys make. Again I ask, how much is 10 years of your life worth?

From what I understand playing football is like taking a drug, a feeling that you wouldn't understand unless you were there in the moment. That is why you see players holding on when we all know it is time for them to go sit down.
My $.03

PAY EM!!!

So now we should start paying $millions to junkies??

I know - that's not what you meant... I hope...

Hey I want this thing over too... I'm a die-hard combine/draft/trade stalker. That said, I personally believe the players should STFU and get back on the field. If people were really concerned with losing 10 years of their life, why do so many *pay* (not get paid) to smoke? Or drink coffee or eat red meat?

Sorry - that argument doesn't hold water with me either.

[Da Swami]

The higher courts are a risk to the players though.

Many of the gains the players have made over the years were due to owner concessions that were not necessarily backed by law.

The owners have a right to reel a lot of that in and do it legally.

The higher the court, the narrower the legal questions will be.

This plays to the owners advantage IMO.

Many of the questions that are in play in mediation are not in play in a court of law.

This ought to be interesting.

[Da Swami]

Dark Horse

I wouldn't wager any money on the players if this goes to the higher courts.

That plays to the owners advantage as the questions of law will be far narrower and the rules much different.

I wouldn't put any money on that if I were you as the game changes if that happens.