Holdouts... players crying about salaries etc...

[Real1st]

You know i know the NFL is more business orientated now these days but does anybody think it is a disgrace to the legends of the game that played in a time were money was not the most important thing... they played for the shirt on their back.. these holdouts are ridiculous and i honestly the think the old time greats are just disgusted about how these players act now.. guys back then were getting paid 27,000 a year at the most back then but they played their butts off.. im not saying the all players now don't but some just show no effort at all and always complain

 

[Stautner]

You know i know the NFL is more business orientated now these days but does anybody think it is a disgrace to the legends of the game that played in a time were money was not the most important thing... they played for the shirt on their back.. these holdouts are ridiculous and i honestly the think the old time greats are just disgusted about how these players act now.. guys back then were getting paid 27,000 a year at the most back then but they played their butts off.. im not saying the all players now don't but some just show no effort at all and always complain

Many of those legends of the game may well have done the same kind of thing in today's environment.

After all, when they were only getting $27,000 a year, what was there to fight over .....?

If they had played with today's money being thrown around - where the difference between getting an average salary and a top salary can be $2,000,000 rather than $5,000 - then you may have seen a different side of them.

Now, I'm not saying that makes what is going on today okay, just that it isn't really a fair comparison.

One last thing - I too am disgruntled at players who hold out WHILE UNDER CONTRACT, but I have no problem at all with players who hold out for a better deal after their contract has expired.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

You will occasionally hear or read interviews with some of the old timers concerning this topic.

For the most part I have heard them say they wish they made that kind of money but do not hold any bitterness towards the athletes today for making the money.

I think they all know that if they could have done the same back then they would have.

 

[joseephuss]

Many of those legends of the game may well have done the same kind of thing in today's environment.

After all, when they were only getting $27,000 a year, what was there to fight over .....?

If they had played with today's money being thrown around - where the difference between getting an average salary and a top salary can be $2,000,000 rather than $5,000 - then you may have seen a different side of them.

Now, I'm not saying that makes what is going on today okay, just that it isn't really a fair comparison.

One last thing - I too am disgruntled at players who hold out WHILE UNDER CONTRACT, but I have no problem at all with players who hold out for a better deal after their contract has expired.

Aren't a few legends of the game now wanting money from the NFL?

 

[InmanRoshi]

You know i know the NFL is more business orientated now these days but does anybody think it is a disgrace to the legends of the game that played in a time were money was not the most important thing... they played for the shirt on their back.

You mean the guys who striked in 1982 and 1987?

 

[Doomsday101]

I do not begrudge any guy making big money but I do wonder how many guys in this league play this game for more than just the money? I know there was a time guys would play during the season and take on other jobs during the off-season and they did this because they loved playing this great game. If tomorrow the NFL cut pay rolls and players were not able to get this big block buster deals how many of them would still play this game? I see guys who are willing to walk away from the game over money

 

[joseephuss]

You mean the guys who striked in 1982 and 1987?

They didn't strike in 87, the owners locked them out. Same difference.

 

[joseephuss]

I do not begrudge any guy making big money but I do wonder how many guys in this league play this game for more than just the money? I know there was a time guys would play during the season and take on other jobs during the off-season and they did this because they loved playing this great game. If tomorrow the NFL cut pay rolls and players were not able to get this big block buster deals how many of them would still play this game? I see guys who are willing to walk away from the game over money

I am more understanding of the guy who is holding out to get the bigger contract before he signs than the guy who is already under a contract, but holds out for a new one.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Back then, the players were just as concerned about money as players today ... probably moreso because they didn't have much of it. The difference is that their union was virtually non-existent and they didn't have the means at their disposal to complain or voice their displeasure without retribution.

If anything, football players are probably more dedicated to the game today. With offseason programs, minicamps, OTA's, training camp 16 game season, strict nutrition and weight regiments ...it takes nearly 365 days of participation. Back in the "good ole days' it was just a 6 month commitment. Today a player comes into camp out of shape and it makes headlines. In those days, all players came in out of shape.

 

[Stautner]

Aren't a few legends of the game now wanting money from the NFL?

They are, but while I have to say I support them ..... there should have been a legitimate pension program in place in the old days, and the players and teams of today owe them a lot. The money they are asking for is merely retirement money, not the huge dollars today's players are making.

I do not begrudge any guy making big money but I do wonder how many guys in this league play this game for more than just the money? I know there was a time guys would play during the season and take on other jobs during the off-season and they did this because they loved playing this great game. If tomorrow the NFL cut pay rolls and players were not able to get this big block buster deals how many of them would still play this game? I see guys who are willing to walk away from the game over money

I may be naive', but I believe most players do have a passion for the game. I just don't think most people would be as dedicated to training and playing as they are otherwise - despite the money.

I believe those who do it solely for the money are eventually exposed - they get lazy, out of shape, lose focus ......... you see that even with very talented players at times, and you have to wonder what the hell they are thinking. I think it's because they are playing solely for money and not for pride or passion, and it eventually is reflected in the way they play the game.

 

[Doomsday101]

They are, but while I have to say I support them ..... there should have been a legitimate pension program in place in the old days, and the players and teams of today owe them a lot. The money they are asking for is merely retirement money, not the huge dollars today's players are making.



I may be naive', but I believe most players do have a passion for the game. I just don't think most people would be as dedicated to training and playing as they are otherwise - despite the money.

I believe those who do it solely for the money are eventually exposed - they get lazy, out of shape, lose focus ......... you see that even with very talented players at times, and you have to wonder what the hell they are thinking. I think it's because they are playing solely for money and not for pride or passion, and it eventually is reflected in the way they play the game.

I agree that I think some guys would play the game regardless if they were getting a kings ransom or not but we see guys coming to camp over weight and out of shape every year. We see guys get these FA contract and do not come close to living up to the expectations. I think sometimes the business side of football over takes what football really is and that is a game.

 

[Stautner]

I agree that I think some guys would play the game regardless if they were getting a kings ransom or not but we see guys coming to camp over weight and out of shape every year. We see guys get these FA contract and do not come close to living up to the expectations. I think sometimes the business side of football over takes what football really is and that is a game.

Those are the guys that I'm talking about - the one's that don't really have a passion and they get exposed.

 

[Doomsday101]

I am more understanding of the guy who is holding out to get the bigger contract before he signs than the guy who is already under a contract, but holds out for a new one.

I agree. If you’re under contact I don't think a player should hold out. If you’re not under contract then you clearly have the right to hold out for the best deal you can get. I would also say many players get contracts that allow for renegotiation to take place at a certain point of the contract and I think they have the right to hold out in those cases as well.

 

[Doomsday101]

Those are the guys that I'm talking about - the one's that don't really have a passion and they get exposed.

Well there seems to be many of them.

 

[Stautner]

Well there seems to be many of them.

I'm not sure how many, but there clearly are too many. I'm not suggesting at all that it isn't a problem, I'm just saying I think there are still plenty of players - the majority of players, that do enjoy playing the game.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm not sure how many, but there clearly are too many. I'm not suggesting at all that it isn't a problem, I'm just saying I think there are still plenty of players - the majority of players, that do enjoy playing the game.

I would like to think that is the case. I do think some would play this game no matter what the money was. I'm just not sure if that is the majority now days.

 

[Stautner]

I would like to think that is the case. I do think some would play this game no matter what the money was. I'm just not sure if that is the majority now days.

I'll throw another monkey wrench into this discussion.

While I believe that the majority of players do enjoy the game aside from the big money, I still believe there is a significant portion of those that would not play the game regardless of the money anyway. Certainly not for as long.

If the money were roughly the same as another job they could get they may play a few years, but eventually decide that getting their body pounded and living with pain wasn't worth it.

I think that caused a lot of people in the 1940's not to play.

If the pay were less than another job they could have, not only the pain and injury factor would have an impact on the career decision, but the ability to care for the family as well.

 

[THUMPER]

One last thing - I too am disgruntled at players who hold out WHILE UNDER CONTRACT, but I have no problem at all with players who hold out for a better deal after their contract has expired.

I also have no problem with a player holding out if he is not under contract, unless he is a rookie, rookies ALWAYS suffer when they are not in camp on time. If you have a contract then be a man and live up to it.

 

[sago1]

Agree that if a player's under contract, then he shouldn't complain about his contract. On the other hand, I also felt sorry for Javon Walker in his dealings with the Green Bay Packers.

BTW: I also am upset at the money at these draft picks are getting, particularly those going early in the draft. It is ridiculous for the Raiders QB pick to be demanding $60M with huge guaranteed in SB. This kind of outlay just cripples an organization if the guy turns out to be a bust because of the salary cap.

 

[zeromaster]

We (media and public) helped create this monster, so take the good with the bad. It's all very well to say people should be able to make as much as possible, but once someone does and becomes an object of admiration/obsession, the division between people like us and the upper echelon widens. At that point some resentment is inevitable.

After all, if it's understandable for people to strive for the most fame/income/whatever, it's equally understandable that the ones that don't have it may not understand the behavior of those that do. And we can't be absolutely sure that fame and money wouldn't do the same to us. It's the old adage about absolute power.

jmo...