Debating NFL Union, Kyle Turley Drops an F-Bomb on Robert Smith on Live Radio

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Offensive lineman Kyle Turley, who announced his retirement from the Kansas City Chiefs this year, is one of the most outspoken opponents of the NFL player's union. Running back Robert Smith, who retired from the Minnesota Vikings in 2000, is one of the most passionate supporters of the union.

In addition to being diametrically opposed on the issue of the union, Turley and Smith are also intelligent, articulate people, and when they appeared on Dan LeBatard's radio show together, the sparks flew. Sports by Brooks transcribes the juiciest parts, starting with Turley swearing at Smith:

"This is a serious issue. Families are affected, people are becoming homeless, living in shelters. Do you not see a problem with that? Well, f- you, then!"

After that they took a brief break, and then Turley continued:

"You know what? It's near pointless to speak to this guy, OK? Because he's not listening. People are not listening."

Smith's response:

"To say that the union doesn't care just isn't true ... To say that I'm not paying attention, that I'm not listening, that it doesn't make any sense to talk to me - man, I've been doing this for 15 years, I don't get a dime for it. I do it because I care about the players, every single player that's ever played the game or that will play the game."

Smith makes his point well, but Turley is correct on the fundamental issue, which is that there are too many former NFL players living with long-term health problems from the injuries they suffered in the league. The union should do more for those players.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

4-17-2008 @ 8:35AM

Doctor Bob said...

These guys know going in that they're playing a dangerous game. They are extremely well compensated for what they do. In what other job can you make millions and millions of dollars in a couple of years? And I'm supposed to feel sorry for them when they get injured and leave the game? Hey, I can point to a lot of Vietnam veterans much worse off than them, and they got starvation pay for their service and, if they're lucky, get bare-bones treatment in a rat-infested VA Hospital. Now ask me if I care about football players. Go ahead, ask me.

4-17-2008 @ 8:47AM

bill said...

Football players are pansies compared to NHL players. They are the baddest SOBs on earth. Football plawers crwy wike wittle giwrls.

4-17-2008 @ 8:52AM

D said...

The major issue relative to players poor quality of life after the NFL is not so much with newer playerss/retirees, but with the 'old timers' that played before the major money was being made. The debate is not whether they are hurting, but where should the money come from to assist these people.

4-17-2008 @ 8:56AM

Barry said...

He is right. You would see that NHL players are the baddest. That is if anyone watched hockey anymore!

4-17-2008 @ 9:03AM

I watched a special a little while back and it seems that the Union could a least be doing more then they are now. It seems to be well below the minimum. It said the average age for the older guys is in the 50's. So they are dying off quick and they should do the right thing while they can.

4-17-2008 @ 9:04AM

Joey said...

This is almost like Tom Glavine's comments prior to the 1994 players strike.He stated "you people just don't understand." Yeah we understand,your paid millions of dollars to play a boy's game,and you still whine over a retirement package..
I think I (we) all could manage a retirement package with the money those guys make

4-17-2008 @ 9:05AM

joe said...

I'd like to see one of these hockey morons take a hit from Ronnie Lott or Jack Tatum(who broke a guy's spine in 1 hit). This country cares about hockey just as much as soccer.

4-17-2008 @ 9:09AM

Robbie63 said...

all that money what we can do wth it. what a shame.

4-17-2008 @ 9:13AM

dag said...

Professional sports with unions is like trying to create a government that mixes Socialism and The Nobility...
While they are or have the chance to be "nobility" they want as much as they can for themselves... When they can't be "nobility" they want as much as they can for everyone (since that now is all they are)...
If they REALLY cared for everyone, let them put some of their exorbitant "taking care of number one" salaries into a pool FOR everyone...

4-17-2008 @ 9:15AM

toose said...

Right on Doctor Bob!!

If these guys care so much, why not have all the current players contribute some of their millions to a fund to help these former players?

4-17-2008 @ 9:40AM

rsticks said...

they are compenstated well NOW! didn't used to be that way--
players today who make MILLIONS and MILLIONS--should be thanking the guys who played in the 60's and 70's who made it possible for these guys to make the money they do now
NOT turning their backs on them

4-17-2008 @ 9:52AM

MIKE said...

MAYBE 50 YEARS AGO THE PLAYERS WEREN'T PAID WELL. BUT FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS WE ALL KNOW THAT THESE PLAYERS MADE ENOUGH TO BUY MANY,MANY HOUSES AND PUT MONEY AWAY. I WOULD ALSO LAUGH AT PEOPLE SAYING HOCKEY PLAYERS ARE TOUGH. THE BIGGEST ONES ARE AROUND A SCRAWNEY 200 POUNDS. AND MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THEY GET CHECKED THEIR LITTLE EGOS WANT TO FIGHT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HANDLE A LITTLE CHECK.

4-17-2008 @ 9:53AM

joyceafrancis said...

NFL players as all pros are paid an amount of money for one season that most people don't make in a lifetime. Instead of investing it for the day when they can no longer play, they choose to buy 3 or 4 cars, 150 pair of sneakers, million dollar homes. I have no sympathy for them. Let us not forget either that many of them have a college degree that was paid for by the taxpayers due to their receiving a "scholarship."
As for the Union, yes, it could do more for those injured -- but certainly not for those retired.

Dean said...

Just more over paid trash.

4-17-2008 @ 9:58AM

Jeff said...

Unions are a joke, Upshaw is in the pockets of the owners protecting his 4 million dollar a year salary while the NFL is literally printing money. Greed nothing more nothing less GREED

cliff said...

well too f bomb bad. they should have invested better or bought more insurance. it's a shame that high schools push the sports programs so hard, you have 18 yr. olds with blown knees and such. what's left for them?

4-17-2008 @ 10:01AM

Byron said...

The issue at hand is not the current/recently retired players - they were compensated well enough to have a great retirement. It's the guys who played in the old days. I resent the NFL and it's owners making billions while not being willing to help the older players who made the league what it is today. I also resent the NFL making billions while demanding taxpayers (us!) subsidize all their new stadiums and then charging outrageous ticket prices.

4-17-2008 @ 10:09AM

Pro NFL players have been racking in huge paychecks for at least the past 45 years. When is enough ever enough?

4-17-2008 @ 10:11AM

Tyrone Gathers said...

How about this:
Go do something else for a living. Did you think that playing NFL football would not take a toll on your body?
Choose another profession that doesnt involve slamming into 350 pound men all day long.

Very simple.
If you can't, well then, sorry deal with it. Some people would like to be doctors, but they dont have the mental capacity to do the job, so they have to be teachers or something else. That's life.