(Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker) Harrison Turns Up Criticism of NFL

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JIM LITKE

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is not letting up in his criticism of the NFL in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.

A day after sarcastically suggesting a pillow could be used to soften blows he delivers to opponents, Harrison called the NFL's talk about wanting to protect players "just a show."

Harrison said before Wednesday's practice that the owners' push for an 18-game regular season and the possibility of a lockout prove the NFL is more interested in maximizing revenue than the health of its players.

"It's not about player safety," Harrison said. "It's about money."

Read more: http://sports.excite.com/news/02022011/v6976.html

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This is a labor story, not a sports story.

FULL story at link.

[RandomThoughts]

1. I think on that.

Since I am due beer and travel money.

However if I wanted that money, there are plenty of ways to use skills or concepts to get that.

The point being it is not about money for me, even if the money is due. But that does not make the debt of money any less. And balance is important.


As far as everything being about money.

"You can't take it with you."

[FSogol]

2. About 2 weeks ago, Hines Ward pointed out that the NFL sells photos of the hits that Harrison was

was fined for. The hypocrisy seems lost on the NFL.

[Blacksheep214]

3. Maybe Rod Smart has a jersey Harrison can use.

Remember Rod "He Hate Me" Smart?

If the jersey fits..... STFU!

[IamK]

4. he's had many hits to the head also......

[DeSwiss]

5. K&R

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl9BpUgYljQ&feature=player_embedded">NFLPA Super Bowl Ad: Let Us Play

[JVS]

6. The season is too long. Back in the old days it was 9/15-12/15

Now it's three weeks longer plus a january post-season.

[qanda]

7. He is exactly right

They want to make the season even longer. For what? To make the players even more healthy? Of course not! It's all about the money and they made Harrison the poster boy of their safety facade. He has every right to be upset.

[JVS]

8. One would think that the fact that the post-season is dominated by injury concerns would...

be enough to keep them from extending the season.

[melm00se]

9. it's a combination of things

As a fan, I despised paying for 10 tickets a season and of those only 8 "counted".

The need for pre-season games has changed somewhat over the years. back in the day, it was an opportunity for the players to come back from their "regular" jobs, get into some semblance of shape and play football (players weren't paid tons back then).

Now with the salaries these folks earn, they can devote the entire year into staying in shape so the extra 2 weeks is unnecessary.

the players do get a huge chunk of the DGR (defined gross revenue) - the last year before this uncapped year, it was 64.5% of the DGR. anyway you cut it, that's a crapload of $$$. the 2009 median NFL players salary was $770K - nothing to sneeze at - and that does not include revenues from autograph signings, speaking engagements, memorabilia sales etc.

They certainly ain't me.

to be sure, their career longevity isn't the greatest (~3 years on the average), but most, if not all, exit football and step into quite respectable, middle class careers (their name recognition alone opens up doors) and if they play it smart (read that as: not pi$$ing away their money) they can live quite a comfortable life. Additionally, they suffer long term physical deterioration in the joints and (unfortunately) neurologically.

IMO, the players union should be looking to it's current members to pony up some cash to support those that have come before them as the current salaries wouldn't be possible without the olde tyme players. It is, however, unlikely that they will do that )as a group) because NFL athletes are young, they think they are going to live forever and the effects of 10-15-20 years of pounding happen to the "other guy".

I do think, however, that there must be a happy medium between the 2 sides and as a football fan, I really hope they hammer this out before the go/no go point of the year.