Did Upshaw's death cause owners to act?

[Guest]

50-50 is fair if both sides are taking equal risks, which by the way isn't happening.

the average player lasts 3-4 years in the league and suffers life shortening injuries while the owners basically have a license to print money so i really don't see what the union is bitching about.

seriously, this union poo has been bothering me for years. look at the coal mining industry. i mean sure, coal workers are still getting black lung by the thousands but let's just take a step back and think about who's really taking the risk here: the guys with the money and the nice office who have never been underground in their lives

[jtm]

The more any player comments (not just Brees) the more respect I lose. The egos of these guys are amazing. I wish the NFL would cut them all and go resign a bunch of new players that appreciate playing in the NFL and realize it is a honor and not a right. I would play for the Panthers for free and I think most would do that as well. But, these cry babies aren't happy with millions when most would be working at Taco Bell if it wasn't for the NFL.

[DaveThePanther2008]

The greed of the players will ruin this game.

If I were the owners.. The fancy locker rooms would disappear. Every amenity the players have would be the 1st thing to go. Cut those cost. Have the players pay for the airfare. Better yet fly them coach on 3 or 4 different flights to their destination. I would cut every cost, every benefit that is put into making the Divas,,, Divas.

If all the fancy things come at the cost to the owners. Those are the 1st to go.

[OchoNueve]

Brees is officially a douche

[malik]

The more any player comments (not just Brees) the more respect I lose. The egos of these guys are amazing. I wish the NFL would cut them all and go resign a bunch of new players that appreciate playing in the NFL and realize it is a honor and not a right. I would play for the Panthers for free and I think most would do that as well. But, these cry babies aren't happy with millions when most would be working at Taco Bell if it wasn't for the NFL.

now you're being an idiot.

[rayzor]

it makes me feel less bad about how richardson talked to those players. still a douchy/unprofessional way of communicating, but understandable.

[eViL jEsTeR]

Gene's death happened in Aug 2008.

I'd say the owners were more concerned about this trend in 2009 than his death:

looks like it's right back where it started.

[jtm]

now you're being an idiot.

Yeah, how so? The NBA and NFL are the only sports out there where a player that has never played a down in the NFL can get a multi-million dollar contract. Pretty much the rest of the sports you have to prove yourself before you get paid. Baseball you have to go through the farm leagues (unless phenom) Tennis you have to win tourneys. Golf same deal. Soccer/Hockey who knows or cares.

You don't hear Tiger Woods going out there saying the PGA needs to take care of him because he is hurt. He pays for his own flights, insurance, etc. NFL and NBA players are a bunch of divas! I will never forget when the NBA had their last lock-out and Alonzo Mourning said he was suffering because he had bills to pay. What bills..oh you mean your multiple mansions and Porsche payments. NFL players have turned into this...

[pantherfan49]

looks like it's right back where it started.

Not when the owners opted out of the CBA though.

There is some thought that the owners agreed to the last CBA only as a goodwill gesture to Upshaw. They immediately (rightfully so) regretted doing so.