Carroll Angeles

Colts center takes break after labor negotiations
By Michael Marot (AP)
August 2, 2011
(two pages)
ANDERSON, Ind. - Jeff Saturday spent the offseason working his second job.
He flew from city to city, hotel to hotel, spending laborious days in nondescript meeting rooms, negotiating
with team owners.
For a 13-year veteran with three children at home, it wasn't an ideal summer. Still, Saturday felt compelled
to do the heavy lifting for all those guys he represented, and he wound up making a difference -- a big
difference.
"Man, I think about the sacrifices he made," Colts defensive captain Gary Brackett said Tuesday. "You
know, hearing him speak the day the agreement was signed about the responsibility Mr. Kraft had in
getting this deal done, I think you really could really say that Jeff Saturday saved football, too."
Saturday never missed a bargaining session, and now things may never be the same for the 36-year-old Pro
Bowl.
After spending most his professional career toiling in the long shadows cast by Peyton Manning, Dwight
Freeney, Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, Bob Sanders and Reggie Wayne, Saturday has carved out his
own niche on a team full of leaders. By thanking and hugging Robert Kraft, owner of the Colts' archrival
Patriots, Saturday will forever be remembered as the face of the settlement.,
But for Saturday, it was never about fame.
"There were a lot of things I went through during the negotiations and one of the main things is that when
you advocate for other people, you really think about what you're fighting for," he said three days after
players approved the new labor pact. "I think we got a fair deal."
Colts players never doubted Saturday would know a fair deal when he saw one.
Unlike many of today's best players, Saturday did not come into the league with a highly touted reputation.
Baltimore signed him as an undrafted rookie in 1998, then cut him before training camp even started. Over
the next seven months, Saturday managed an electrical store in North Carolina, hoping for a second chance.
Indy signed the free agent in January 1999, and within a year, Saturday became the starting center. He's
been an immovable object since, combining with Manning for a league record 172 career starts.
What other players may not understand were the sacrifices Saturday made.
He made sure there were workout rooms in the hotels or near them so he could stay in shape. He called his
wife and children every day. He communicated regularly with Manning, his closest friend, and Brackett,
the Colts' alternate player rep. He helped coordinate workouts for younger players and kept his teammates
and those on other teams informed about the discussions.
Those obligations left little time for Saturday to relax.