Football Players Speak Out on NFL Lockout

By Sharmaine Jones

At 11:59 PM, Friday, March 11, 2011 the NFL took a timeout. According to Espn.com, America's most lucrative sport officially announced a lockout of players by team owners which closed down the league's activities and halted trade activities and other dealings between players and team organizations.

In 2008, owners exercised an opt-out clause in the now expired Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and while players repeatedly offered to extend the deal, owners rejected the offers. The CBA expired due to the players and owners inability to decide how to distribute $9 billion in annual income. This marks the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987 and puts the 2011 NFL season at risk.

While fans may fear the worst, NFL players are voicing their opinions but aren't panicking yet.

Record-setting tight-end Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons tweeted:

"Just be patient. It's a shame we ALL have to go through this but I guess It's part of the process. There is no doubt we will have a season."

"We all saw this coming," Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jake Long told miamiherald.com. "I'm not worried about missing games. I don't think that will happen. We're going to get all the guys together [for workouts] because we don't want to be in separate places once we come back, everybody doesn't know whats going on."

Wide-receiver Brian Hartline joked about the lockout via twitter:

"So can we file for unemployment?? lol @ochocinco: #UNEMPLOYEDWINNER" He goes on to say, "No Football and no Two and a Half Men... I thought this was America?? Be 4 long im going to be back to playing cards under candle light lol"

Some players weren't as lighthearted about the news. Cornerback Vontae Davis shared with the twitter-verse that the news of a lockout ruined his night out:

"Lockout really I'm out and I can't even grabb a drink messin me up"

But by far, the most controversial remarks came from Minnesota Vikings runningback Adriene Peterson. When asked of his thoughts about the lockout and the current state of the NFL, foxsports.com reports Peterson said:

“It’s modern-day slavery, you know? People kind of laugh at that, but there are people working at regular jobs who get treated the same way, too. With all the money. . . the owners are trying to get a different percentage, and bring in more money.”

Players filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL that would lift lockout sanctions and allow players to return to work until a new deal is worked out. The hearing is set for April 6, 2011.

What do you think of the NFL lockout?

Tags Adriene Peterson, Brian Hartline, Collective Bargaining Agreement, ESPN, Football, Lockout, NFL, Tony Gonzales, Vontae Davis