Players, owners demand NFL transition to bowl schedule

Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said the players he represents are tired of a system that only allows 12 of 32 teams to participate in the post season.

“While fewer than 40 percent of NFL franchises get to participate in the playoff experience, more than half of the 120 NCAA Division 1-A* teams get a shot at the postseason,” Upshaw said. “And that’s not fair.”

Upshaw said players come to him every week with concerns about motivation, and a better chance for postseason play would be a big motivator for them.

“It’s more than just a game for the players,” Upshaw said. “Well, it’s just a game, but for some of the players, getting paid millions of dollars to play a game just isn’t enough.”

“How’s a Dolphin, Falcon or Raider supposed to get through the last few games of the season, knowing there’s no hope for a glamorous week-long trip to El Paso, Boise or Mobile in his future?”

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Troy Williamson said he supports the idea of switching the postseason to a bowl format.

“Things just seem to work too well in the current system,” Williamson said. “College football gets so much attention with their system, so I think it’s definitely something we need to look at.”

A former Silver Bluff and USC standout, Williamson said he misses the end of year trip.

“Everyone says pro football players do it for the money, but I do it for the little perks like free travel, bowl gifts and trips to theme parks,” Williamson said. “Money can’t buy that.”

NFL owners are a little more divided on the issue, with the regular playoff teams opposing the move and perennial bottom-feeders encouraging the league to take a look at the proposal.

Note: Obviously, this is completely fake. At least, I sincerely hope that nobody in the NFL is considering such a move. It would be insane.

*Yeah, I said it. And I’ll say it again: NCAA Division 1-A. I can’t stand the new “Everyone’s Equal” acronyms they use now. FBS? FCS? Whatever, I say what I want.