The players wanted more money, higher salary caps and they didn't have that family relationship we felt with the players. Mentally, the players were more businesslike.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I wanted the players to feel like they were part of a family, to be conscious of that controlled togetherness as they made that slow entrance onto the field. It had a great psychological effect on the opposing team, too. They'd never seen anything like it.
The money is in a different league these days, of course, but I have special memories of the 60s and 70s which players today don't have. There wasn't the same celebrity attitude and media exposure. We had a bit more freedom.
The biggest difference is in the leadership. It was better for us. We had more coaches and mentors to help us. A lot of the younger players today suffer from a lack of direction.
And historically the owners have used loyalty to a team or a city to hold players as opposed to always paying their worth.
We spent a lot of money on some players.
Even though I played in the NBA, we tried to give our kids as normal a life as possible. We gave them everything they needed, not everything they wanted, and they had to work for what they wanted. I think that mentality helped.
Many players want to make as much money as they can and change teams for ten grand. How is that going to make much difference to their lives?
My life has changed in many ways, both on an economic and personal level. All major league players are accorded the respect they deserve. In Cuba, it was not that way. National team players were not respected. The treatment was not adequate.
Organizations are trying to save extra money. Players are trying to get extra money. That's the way it is.
The source of wealth is from individuals with little or no history of interest in the game, who have happened upon football as a means of serving some hidden agenda.
No opposing quotes found.