Last summer was a headache for NFL players, coaches and fans alike. The players decertified and were hoping to get the best deal possible. The owners wanted more money.
Well that’s all history now but some of the highlights will be lasting memories.
The announcement that an agreement had been made was enormous. NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and commissioner Roger Goodell came together along with all the owners and player representatives.
In the end, it was Jeff Saturday’s comments of Patriots-owner Robert Kraft that stole the show.
Kraft talked to the Boston media a couple days ago and he said some kind words of the Colts long-time center.
“The NFL and the NFL players and owners are lucky that there was a guy like Jeff Saturday in the league,” Kraft said to reporters. “Players are passing through, but he took the role of a principal and he made every negotiating session. He represented the interests of the players. The reason we don’t have double practices, he put so much time and effort. Without Jeff Saturday, there wouldn’t have been a deal.
Kraft understands Saturday plays for the rival-Colts, but this was all bigger than a game.
“It’s hard to like the center for Peyton Manning, but I really liked the guy. I mean, I really like the guy. He’s terrific and whoever hires him after football will be getting a great guy…I like him a lot.”
It was brought up in the final news conference that Saturday didn’t miss a meeting throughout the process. From numerous reports, representatives agree–Kraft was the most influential owner and Saturday was critical is moving the process along.
“Without Jeff Saturday, there wouldn’t have been a deal.”
The 13-year veteran tried to downplay his role. Very humble of him.
“Sometimes I think the media has made me a bigger piece than I really was,” Saturday said. “There were a lot of men who put a great deal of time and effort into this.”