According to multiple sources, the NFL and the NFLRA are reaching final talks on a deal that could have the referees out on the field as soon as tomorrow, Thursday.
Via Twitter, do not worry it is somebody legit, Chris Mortensen, ESPN Senior NFL Analyst, retweeted Jim Daopoulos, an NFL on-field ref for the past 11 years,
"Jim Daopoulos @RefereeJimD Looks like the NFL refs will be working starting Thursday in Balt. Deal appears to be completed."
And then minutes later the NFL's official twitter page posted this:
NFL @nfl: RT @AlbertBreer: Per league sources, the NFL and NFLRA are closing in on a deal, still talking details
Albert Beer is a reporter for the NFL Network. It does not look like this news is just a rumor prepared to mess with fans' minds.
For some fans, this is the greatest news they have received this entire season, especially for those over in Green Bay.
Monday Night Football's botched or controversial call probably helped this lockout reach its breaking point. Players were disappointed as they felt the NFL was hurting itself and not living up to expectations. Players like Drew Brees felt that the NFL was not respecting the shield they have worked so hard to honor and defend throughout the years.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, reports had the NFL and NFLRA possibly reaching a deal, but the the thought was that, despite a deal being reached, it would take the officials about a week to get on the field.
According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, the referees' availability on Thursday would depend on their own preparation for that night's game. Over the period of deliberation, referees were training, adding the new rules to their repertoire of calls.
We will have to wait and see exactly when the union and the NFL reach an accord and if in fact the referees are ready to hit the field and liberate fans from there three-week anguish.
