Comments on: Mike Ditka speaks on lockout, “modern-day slavery,” Jay Cutler

By: michelsauret

michelsauret — Thu, 12 May 2011 17:23:00 +0000

I don’t know Tommyf15,

Ticket prices provide (part) of the revenue to owners of the NFL. Of course it has something to do with players salaries… not as much as advertising and televised broadcasting but you can’t say there isn’t a correlation.

But in any case, lowering the ticket pricing doesn’t really solve anything. Watching an NFL game is a form of entertainment you’ve got to pay for. Like going to a concert.

And also, Tommy, though I agree with your take on free market, I still disagree with your take on Player’s freedom. What RIGHTS don’t they have?

They have just as many rights as most Amercian employees. And if you throw in the question of contracts limiting their rights, that’s absurd. Contracts work two ways, and Players have the right to sign contracts if they want everything that contract provides them (salary, benefits, term agreements).

NFL players are not slaves. The comparison is idiotic.

By: tommyf15

tommyf15 — Sat, 07 May 2011 19:24:49 +0000

saberstud75 says:
If we stop paying these FOOLS $12 million dollars per year maybe the average Joe could afford to bring his family to a game.

Have the owners pledged to lower ticket prices in the event that they come out the winners of this battle?

No.

Why in the world would the owners lower the prices of tickets if the games sell out at the current prices?

Players’ salaries have nothing at all to do with ticket prices.

By: mhs8031

mhs8031 — Sat, 07 May 2011 19:02:03 +0000

Quit football=instant freedom–you don’t even need an underground railroad or Abe Lincoln.

By: tommyf15

tommyf15 — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:11:58 +0000

kissbillsrings says:
AD lives in the free-est country in the world with the most rights bestowed on an individule

He sure does, little buddy.

What the players are seeking is have the same rights as any other United States citizen- the right to offer their services as an employee in a free, open marketplace.

Salary caps, drafts, franchise tags, etc are an impediment to a free marketplace. And before anyone insists that these mechanisms are somehow necessary, remember that one of the South’s arguments against emancipating the slaves was that the South’s economy was dependent upon it.

Has a familiar ring, does it not?

By: kissbillsrings

kissbillsrings — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:08:18 +0000

tommyf15: You sir are an IDIOT….AD lives in the free-est country in the world with the most rights bestowed on an individule…..the slavery comment in reguards to any aspect including the current football situation is almost as moronic as your take….

The reality here is these players are biting the hand that feeds them……the desertification by the union is a fraudulant joke….

By: nagaswan

nagaswan — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:46:05 +0000

What a clown. He’s like a not fun Ron Swanson.

By: billsfan1

billsfan1 — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:43:19 +0000

If it wasn’t for football manyy of these fools wouldn’t earn as much as a slave

By: tommyf15

tommyf15 — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:30:03 +0000

justafan24 says:
The “Modern Day Slavery” quote actually made me rage a little. How about if you are so unhappy quit playing the game( i stress game) and get a real job and see how hard it is to make ends meet. That is just a very dumbass comment from a top player. If I was a owner I would get with the other owners and make a pact that no player is worth 5-10 mil a year, play for less or work for burger king.

1. You’re a whiner.

2. What makes me “rage a little” is when someone says that they’d flagrantly break the law in order to stick it to the players.

By: tommyf15

tommyf15 — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:25:05 +0000

I love the way people play the “slavery” card every time they need a convenient excuse to rip the players.

Slavery is about rights, not money. A plantation owner can pay a slave all he wants- but if the person doesn’t have rights, he’s still a slave.

The reality is that a lot of people here act as if the players shouldn’t have rights, and justify their attitudes by by hiding behind the salaries of the highest paid players.

By: h0c2000

h0c2000 — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:21:42 +0000

Ditka the dummy. Hey mike, how much did Gisele make? More than 12 mill for just standing there.

By: bsizemore68

bsizemore68 — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:09:45 +0000

bingocostello, glad that your guy didn’t win any elections, as we know there are plenty of idiots in congress already. Bill

By: bsizemore68

bsizemore68 — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:04:38 +0000

Tony 420, seems like you are down 79-5, no we can’t agree with you….Bill

By: clear2me

clear2me — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:29:15 +0000

The face is part of the body, right? Then Mike is bang on about Cutler. After one of his classic screw-ups he looks like a three year old when he is being forced to eat broccoli. And the slouch he assumes when he comes off the field looks like the same three year old that wasn’t allowed his cookie. Maybe he just needs some maturing.

By: monsterscream

monsterscream — Sat, 07 May 2011 14:59:03 +0000

If you listen closely, when Ditka gets on a roll, he NEVER finishes his sentences.

By: quirtevans

quirtevans — Sat, 07 May 2011 14:51:39 +0000

“Ditka used to be portrayed as grumpy old man. But every soundbite I hear or article I read, he’s proven to be the voice of reason.”

Yeah, I’ve never been a big fan of Ditka’s, but I agree with everything he’s saying here. His analysis of the stand-off as a battle of egos is spot on.

By: cereal blogger

cereal blogger — Sat, 07 May 2011 14:47:21 +0000

Mini-Ditka 103, Da’Bears 8

By: thefiesty1

thefiesty1 — Sat, 07 May 2011 14:01:45 +0000

He’s absolutely right 99% of the time.

By: riverhorsey

riverhorsey — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:59:05 +0000

needs to improve his body language? do we have a coach for that?

Nice pass Jay but stand up straight when walking back to the huddle !!

Cutler is an unemotional guy that’s just the way he is.

By: bingocostello

bingocostello — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:50:46 +0000

the ONLY thing Ditka did wrong was NOT run for US Senate in Illinois, that gave us Bozobama! But Mike we forgive you!

By: chatham10

chatham10 — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:44:20 +0000

I agree with Ditka and he has been a main voice in getting more money for the players that have retired but I’m surprised he has not commented on Upshaws wife getting $15million in death benefits.

By: azwildcats96

azwildcats96 — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:30:26 +0000

sausage…

By: mrplow3

mrplow3 — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:27:35 +0000

Ditka, as always, is spot on.

By: MCxShow

MCxShow — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:27:23 +0000

This is probably the smartest thing anyone has said since the lockout started

By: justafan24

justafan24 — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:27:01 +0000

The “Modern Day Slavery” quote actually made me rage a little. How about if you are so unhappy quit playing the game( i stress game) and get a real job and see how hard it is to make ends meet. That is just a very dumbass comment from a top player. If I was a owner I would get with the other owners and make a pact that no player is worth 5-10 mil a year, play for less or work for burger king.

By: pleasantsurpriselefty

pleasantsurpriselefty — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:26:15 +0000

They just don’t make them like Iron Mike anymore. The pure definition of a leader.

By: brianeybel

brianeybel — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:24:52 +0000

Ditka hit the nail on the head.

By: dspyank2k11

dspyank2k11 — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:03:25 +0000

Gotta love Mike Ditka.

He says what youre thinking!

By: whatswiththehate

whatswiththehate — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:00:49 +0000

“I’m just saying that he needs to improve his body language, and I think everybody would admit that,” Ditka said. ”
——————
Wow…we’re analyzing body language also. I guess this is what happens when you get a bunch of high testostorone filled men who are no longer playing the game they love commenting on the younger players who they feel aren’t giving them the respect they crave. They become ridiculously critical.

IMO, the sports elites don’t like Jay Cutler because they know he doesn’t like them…Body language, Ditka? Like really????

By: mattyc

mattyc — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:00:21 +0000

Slave owner… How dare you not agree with Modern Day Slavery… Are you serious?

I WANNA BE A 12 MILLION DOLLAR SLAVE PLEASE!

By: tony420

tony420 — Sat, 07 May 2011 12:57:24 +0000

Cant we agree that for years Ditka is simply a loudmouth who likes the sound of his own voice and has figured out a way to get paid for it as well. Basically an idiot.