NFL Lockout: We're the Ones Who Made the Shield Bulletproof

Here's a little secret.

Shhhh. I don't want to say this too loud—you never know who might be listening.

You know how the NFL owners and the NFL players say they care about the fans?

Guess what? They don't.

While the two sides are locked into negotiations over a new labor deal, I can promise you that no one has stood up, on either side and said: "Hey, what about the people who buy tickets and jerseys and cable packages?"

If they did, that person would be forced to drink a domestic beer at the next happy hour.

Unlike just about any other business currently operating, the NFL has a high-demand product and gets away with murder when it comes to customer relations. If you need an example, look no further than the debacle Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones caused as a Super Bowl host.

How can this happen?

It's not Roger Goodell or the NFLPA; we let it.

We pay outrageous prices for PSL's, the average fan can't get close to a Super Bowl ticket at face value and the list just goes on ad nauseum.

I just visited a site that was selling Kevin Kolb jerseys for $120. This is the jersey of a guy who has done nothing of note.

If the start to the NFL season is delayed, I can promise you that the first weekend of regular season football will have a 97 percent sellout rate.

Treat us like a junkyard dog, and "thank you sir, may I have another?"

I care not if I ever see Peyton Manning throw another football.

Play. Don't play. This golden goose is retiring.