The thought that there might be an NFL lockout or work stoppage anytime soon in America’s most popular sport is possible, also scary but unfortunately inevitable if the current threat from NFL owners persists. Recently, during a testimony, NFLPA interim executive director Richard Berthelsen said he expects the NFL owners to lock out players in 2011. “Every indication, at this point, is that that’s what the NFL owners want to do,” Berthelsen was quoted by SportsBusiness Journal. The fact that owners are threatening players with a potential lockout in the foreseeable future is disheartening. But because the economics does not seem to favor the people who write the athletes checks, there will be a need to sit down and properly discuss the issue behind every strike or lockout; money.

Every NFL player has a stand on this issue, because it relates to their livelihood, their career and most importantly, their paycheck. “What’s my opinion on that? Not good. I don’t know why the owners would want to go that route. We are out there putting our bodies on the line. I don’t see why we shouldn’t get paid for it,” said New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas. Thomas considers his NFL job similar to the everyday blue collar person, except for the big checks though. Thomas like most players, do not foresee their daily job in the NFL heading in that direction. “I think both sides recognize that we only win by coming to a sort of agreement which might be exactly what either sides want, but we are still on the field,” said St. Louis Rams linebacker Chris Draft.

Thomas adds, “This is a job, a 9-5, we are watching film and helping them bring in money with the fans buying their products.” There is a possibility of a strike, but most players believe it won’t reach that extreme where owners and the players association cannot agree. It is quite obvious to the league after going through some strikes in the 1980’s that it is in its best interest to avoid another strike. Also after watching other fellow major sports go through similar quandaries, the NFL can learn from others mistakes and not follow suit. “NBA lost part of a season, Baseball lost a World Series, and hockey lost its reputation and with those examples, it is completely obvious that we will not do the same,” Draft said.

NHL hurt itself with a lockout and the league is still trying to regain the audience it once had. Players respond differently to the issue, from the seasoned veterans to the rookies who still cannot grasp the concept of such a thing happening, NFL’s owners will have to sit down with the NFLPA to iron out the kinks of a likely bent issue. “Both sides are not going to be completely happy, but it’s not about being completely happy, but what’s best for the game,” said Draft.

What if the league owners decide to hold and not budge on a position they feel strongly on. How will the players react? “If we don’t get paid, guys are not going to play, guys are not going to perform well and this is for the fans,” said Thomas. “We cannot get a regular job if one gets a severe injury.”

The NFLPA will certainly come to the rescue of its players. Without the guidance of the late Gene Upshaw, the players association will rely on someone they trust will serve their best interest. “We’re trying to agree and get the right person to fight for us and fight for our rights,” said Thomas. “I definitely think the NFLPA is equipped for this, the last agreement happened due to a lot of negotiation,” Draft added. A lockout or strike of any sort would be devastating for a sport that is above baseball and NHL, two sports that suffered from strikes as it affected their television ratings and popularity also.

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