On Friday evening, we noted some comments from Jaguars fullback Montell Owens that were a welcome change of pace.
Owens said he recognized Roger Goodell is just trying to get a deal done, and that he understands the CBA will ultimately get settled at a negotiation table. There was nothing controversial in the statements, just a player being even-handed.
Owens felt the need to clarify those seemingly benign remarks:
“I would like to further state that I am completely sided with the players,” Owens said in a follow-up email to Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union. “To clarify, the only thing heartfelt is the commissioner’s attempt to get a deal done, but let’s be FAIR.”
Fair enough. We just hope Owens’ comments were inspired on in his own. We hope he didn’t clarify because someone at the NFLPA read PFT, then contacted Owens about the remarks.
Of course Owens sides with the players. Of course players can say reasonable things about ownership (and vice versa) without the public suddenly thinking either side is weak.
A deal will ultimately get done by players and owners that bridge the labor divide, not by the strident among them determined to point out differences we already understand at every turn.