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NFL's A Gas (As Greedy As Satan) The NFL is an amazing animal. It is one of the few businesses that can sell a product inferior to its offerings of a few years ago, and still charge a higher price. Then again, with so many willing dupes ready to buy tickets, tv packages, souvenirs and other paraphernalia, many of us would probably do the same thing. The NFL can be likened to Eugene Krabs of "Spongebob Squarepants" fame. It is constantly driven and consumed by money, with regard to little else. With willing accomplices in the media and the players association, it has created a powerful monopoly ready to crush anyone who opposes it. Funny how that contrasts with Pete Rozelle's calls for "more competitiveness" and a "level playing field" among teams when the salary cap issues were being sought. Look at a few examples. Many of the recent rule changes have favored the offensive side of the ball. Ask any defensive player about this. From pass interference rules to striking with the helmet to hitting QB's or receivers "in a defenseless position", the odds have favored the offense. Why? Because a few years back the NFL did a survey and realized that American like to see teams score. That's one reason why we as Americans go to sleep when soccer comes on the tube. And let's not forget that we can't have any of the few star players on each team get hurt. Celebrations are another example. The 'fun bunch' and other celebrations had to go when the NFL realized that taunting didn't test well in the focus groups. Of course the egomaniacs of the NFL world happily exploit this, as anyone who watched Ray Lewis in the past or Terrell Owens more recently knows. The media is all too happy to get something to show 24 hours a day on Sportscenter. And the fines levied pale in comparison to the salary of these superstars. What irks me most of all, however, is the stab in the back the NFL has given to many of its greats. There are quite a number of ex-NFL legends who have severe mental and physical injuries. Most were obviously the result of playing in the NFL, but these guys can't get their therapies and surgeries paid for by the league. Instead, they get a paltry monthly retirement that reflected the monopolistic structure and weak union of the times in which they played. In reference to this, Mike Ditka was recently quoted as saying." "It's a disgrace. The owners ought to be ashamed of themselves. The owners are financiers, and they are all about making money. They don't care about the history of the game. [NFLPA executive director] Gene Upshaw?" Ditka continued. "Come on. You can get somebody off the street to do what he is doing, and you will pay him a whole lot less." I am in total agreement with Ditka on both accounts. These guys didn't get the crazy salaries of today, but laid the groundwork for the game better than any owner ever dreamed. It's true that the NFL can legally dodge most of these injury claims due to their high priced lawyers and current labor laws, but the responsible and respectable thing to do is to take care of the players that got the NFL to where it is now. Shouldn't the ideals of teamwork preached by every coach since George Halas apply to the owners as well? These players were asked to sacrifice their bodies time and time again, and they did it with no questions asked. Now they are being treated like red-headed stepchildren as the league has become a money making powerhouse. If you look closely, you will see some NFL Legends noticeably absent from Super Bowl festivities. I wish them the best in their efforts to get the treatment they need, and hope that the NFL fan base will hold the league accountable for the health of its former players, particularly those who played in those first Super Bowls. -Tim Ruddy Ask Tim A Question |
