Hall of Fame coach and broadcasting legend John Madden joined ProFootballTalk Live from the Super Bowl to discuss, among other things, the ongoing labor dispute between the NFL and the NFLPA.
As the league and the union gather to conduct a formal bargaining session and as the voters gather to determine the next group of men who’ll have their images in bronze forever placed in Canton, we believe it’s fitting to share Coach Madden’s assessment of what the current busts are saying about the situation when the lights go out.
“They hope that the thing is settled,” Madden said. “They’re upset about it. They’re upset that there’s talk about it. The game is so good now. I mean, the game is great. It’s a great team game. It’s the most popular sport that there is. And ratings are at an all-time high. I mean, everything is a plus.
“And what they’re saying is that when we were there, we were the custodians of the game. Players, coaches, owners, everyone in the Hall of Fame. And now these guys are the custodians. I mean these players, coaches, owners, Commissioner are the custodians. They have a responsibility. And they just hope that they get this thing figured out, because it’s too good right now to screw it up.”
We agree. And plenty of fans do. Hopefully, the NFL and the players’ union finally have realized what’s at stake.
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