When you think of Jeff Saturday the words, dedicated, leadership, and commitment should come to mind. During his career in the NFL, Jeff Saturday has been all of this and more. Saturday played for only two teams in his career, the Indianapolis Colts from 1999-2011 and the Green Bay Packers in 2012. With those teams he started 202 games throughout his 14 year career. Saturday also achieved a lot of individual success as a six time Pro Bowler, two time first team All-Pro, and winning the award for NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the year in 2007. Not to mention his big win in 2007, when the Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
But for all the individual success that Jeff Saturday accomplished during his time in the NFL, he will probably be known more for how he treated people and how much work he put into the NFLPA trying to make players’ careers more enjoyable. Dominique Foxworth, the NFLPA President; spoke about Saturday’s tireless work ethic. “The dedication and commitment he showed to his teammates playing football was only surpassed by the sacrifices he made to improve the game at the negotiating table.” Since 2002 Jeff Saturday has been a Player Representative and a member of the Executive Committee. One person who knows him very well is NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith who said the following about Saturday. “On behalf of all players, I want to congratulate Jeff on his 14-year NFL career. He fought tirelessly for players past, present, and future throughout his career, but never more fiercely than during the NFL Lockout. We are fortunate to have Jeff on board for another year of service as an NFLPA Vice President, but will miss watching him play the game he loves.”
Recently, Saturday signed a contract to retire as an Indianapolis Colt and he was very thankful for the opportunity that he was given. “This does not happen for many players, especially many offensive linemen,” he said. ”I’m excited to retire as a Colt. I mean, this is my home. This is what we’ve supported for so many years. I was known, no matter what team I was playing for, as a Colt. So it’s good to put that horseshoe on and go out that way.” Indianapolis Colts team owner Jim Irsay feels Saturday has left a lasting mark on the NFL. “He wasn’t a first-round draft pick and is an individual who literally took this town and this state over with his integrity. With his love for the community and his performance on the field, he’s just an absolutely incredible individual. Going through the lockout, he played a huge role in getting that settled. It was just absolutely incredible how Jeff has made his mark in this league and for this franchise.”
Saturday has stood out both on and off the field and the sport deserves more men like him. Hopefully, his dedication to the game and the players, as individuals, will inspire others in the NFL to follow in his footsteps.
