National Football League

Reaction to the NFL agreement ending the lockout

Published Jul. 25, 2011 11:58 p.m. ET

foxsports

Reaction to the players approving a new labor deal that ends the NFL lockout:

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''This is a long time coming, and football's back, and that's the great news for everybody.'' - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

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''We didn't get everything that either side wanted ... but we did arrive at a deal that we think is fair and balanced,'' NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith.

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''Yes, I am celebrating. A great feeling.'' - U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, the court-appointed mediator

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''If I don't have to hear the word lockout for a long time, I'll be happy about that. I know guys are ready to get back to work.'' - Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald.

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''Today feels like a Holiday to me!! Thank God for football!'' Broncos draft pick Von Miller via Twitter.

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''I'd like on behalf of both sides to apologize to the fans - for the last five, six months we've been talking about the business of football and not what goes on on the field and building the teams in each market.'' - Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

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''I hope we gave a little lesson to the people in Washington, because the debt crisis is a lot easier to fix than this deal was.'' - Kraft.

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''A special thanks to (Kraft's late wife) Myra Kraft, who even in her weakest moment allowed Mr. Kraft to come and fight this out. Without him, this deal does not get done. ... He is a man who helped us save football.'' - Colts center Jeff Saturday.

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''Time to smash some skulls again,'' Broncos running back Lance Ball via Twitter.

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''Even during the lockout, we kept working through the summer knowing we had to be ready for this moment - to go from zero to 100 mph overnight.'' - Eagles president Joe Banner.

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''If this had been done two weeks ago, we all would've had more time. Everything is just rushed now. I mean, how many phone lines are you going to need to get this all done? '' - player agent Ralph Vitolo, who represents unrestricted free agent fullback Vonta Leach.

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''I think we did a great job of protecting the players that are currently playing and to preserve the game for the players to come and to protect the work that had been done by those who came before us.'' - Bills safety George Wilson.

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''We know what we did to frustrate our fans over the last several months. They want football, and our job is to give them football. We think through a 10-year agreement here we've secured the future of the game to ensure we bring great football to our fans.'' - Goodell.

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''It's a great day. We stand on the eve of the day when football gets back to business. Our players can't be more excited about going back to doing the thing they love the most. We always said during this process we would do a deal when it's right and when it's the right deal. Our players did that.'' - NFLPA president Kevin Mawae.

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''Obviously, things are a little different this year. Significantly different. The mantra for the next few days is to expect the unexpected and be tremendously comfortable being uncomfortable. Anybody who can do those things and learn the rules quickly, adapt quickly will be in a competitively advantageous position.'' - Lions president Tom Lewand

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''A lot of guys, even if you have a team, will just have to roll with the punches and get ready as quickly as possible. It's going to be a mental grind to check into camp in two or three days. To get yourselves mentally geared up like we have to be to attack a season in that short a time, it's a lot to ask.'' - Vikings LB Ben Leber, a plaintiff in the antitrust lawsuit

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''When I look at the deal, it's all-or-nothing. I don't think I can point out one or two things, and say, 'I really like this or that.' I like the fact that we have a legacy fund for former players, and we really addressed the health and safety of the players, I really like that about the deal.'' - Houston Texans player rep DeMeco Ryans

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''It has been a long time waiting for this moment. Obviously we're very excited that we're back to work. It's tough to be an agent when you can't even negotiate.'' - agent Drew Rosenhaus

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''Every team is going to have to be responsible for spending a certain amount. You're not going to have one team spend let's just say for instance, 62 percent of the cap and then another team spend 99 percent of the cap. Everyone has to spend right around the same. I think we're bringing a lot of parity to the league, and I think it'll make the owners have to make great decisions.'' - Chicago Bears kicker and union representative Robbie Gould.

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''I think what we have to do is make sure we take the young guys under our wings and show them how to be true professionals in a hurry. That's going to spell the difference between you having a winning season and a losing season.'' - Cincinnati Bengals TE Reggie Kelly

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''Teams are going to have a lot on their plates, handling practice, free agency, negotiations, but that's part of the process. My perspective is to go into camp, work at your craft and all that will work itself out. You're hopeful that you can get the best team in place.'' - Dallas Cowboys player rep Jason Witten

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''If you felt this was kind of like a pre-nup, where you needed an out clause, well, for the most part - and some people have different opinions on this - you probably shouldn't get married then if you're going into it like that. Our negotiation committee and (NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith) did a great job in to help us understand that the deal was going to be the best deal. There was no need for an opt-out.'' - New York Jets RG and player rep Brandon Moore