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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** FILE ** In this Sept. 8, 2007 file photo, Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, right, heads into the end zone with his second touchdown of the game in front of teammate Jon Cooper, left, and Miami defender Dwayne Hendricks, center, during the first quarter of a college football game in Norman, Okla. Kelly took advantage of a second chance to work out for NFL scouts and cut more than two-tenths of a second off his time in the 40-yard dash. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
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** FILE ** In this Nov. 11, 2007, file photo, Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman throws against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. Losman doesn't appear to be going anywhere despite his request that the Bills trade him. "J.P.'s on this roster and he's a part of this organization. And we anticipate J.P.'s going to be on this team," Bills chief operating officer, Russ Brandon, said Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
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** FILE ** In this Nov. 11, 2007, file photo, Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman throws against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. Losman doesn't appear to be going anywhere despite his request that the Bills trade him. "J.P.'s on this roster and he's a part of this organization. And we anticipate J.P.'s going to be on this team," Bills chief operating officer, Russ Brandon, said Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
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** FILE ** In this Dec. 2, 2007 file photo, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Redman passes during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams in St. Louis. After being out of the league for three full years, Redman made an improbable comeback last season and appears likely to remain the Falcons starter in the Year 2 A.V., After Vick. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick listens to a reporter's question during a pre-NFL draft media availability at the team's football facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday morning, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick responds to a reporter's question during a pre-NFL draft media availability at the team's football facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday morning, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork listens to a reporter's question during a pre-NFL draft media availability at the team's football facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday morning, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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Football player Tony Gonzalez arrives at The Billie Awards presented by the Women's Sports Foundation in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Tuesday, April 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
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** FILE ** Defensive back Antoine Cason of Arizona makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in this Feb. 26, 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
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