NFL contradicts report that ‘Thursday Night Football’ could be on the chopping block

When a report surfaced on Pro Football Talk yesterday that the NFL was considering getting rid of “Thursday Night Football,” many rejoiced across the nation.

After all, “Thursday Night Football” has always felt like a forced product — one that should have been reserved for special games like the NLF kickoff and Thanksgiving Day games.

Instead, the NFL went for the money grab, forcing TNF onto us on a weekly basis. Along the way, it went so far as to add in a second money grab by featuring the the mostly horrid Color Rush uniforms teams trot out every week.

With a dwindling, over-policed on-field product, simple changes would bring fans back into the fold (we discussed that here), starting with cutting out TNF and the Color Rush uniforms.

But alas, in breaking news announced by CNBC Now, the NFL has issued a statement that they are “fully committed” to “Thursday Night Football,” and that “any reports to the contrary are unfounded.”

Let’s just call this what it is — horrible news for fans of a dwindling product.

With the over-saturation of games, combined with the league’s emphasis on cutting out fun celebrations, it is no wonder NFL viewership is down.

If only Roger Goodell understood how to better a great on-field product instead of only grabbing for cash and tuning out loyal fans. Alas, as it is in life, for the NFL money is king.