Hardest, Riskiest, Toughest, Greatest Job In Sports

PALMER: The truth of the matter is, somebody is going to die in the NFL. It's going to happen. Guys are getting so big, so fast, so explosive. The game's so violent. I hope it's not anyone at this table, and I hope it doesn't happen, obviously.

Everyone talks about the good old days when guys were tough and quarterbacks got crushed all the time, but back in the day there weren't defensive ends like Mario Williams—6'7", 300 pounds, 10 percent body fat, running a 4.7 40. The game is getting bigger, faster, stronger, and there needs to be more protection. If I weren't a quarterback, I would be mad about the rules. If I were a defensive back, I would be mad about the new rule [banning helmet, forearm and shoulder hits to the head of a defenseless receiver], because it does take some of the ferociousness out of the game. But the rules need to be adjusted because [the violence] is getting a little out of control.

KING: What's the one job you'd like to have if you weren't an NFL quarterback?

ROETHLISBERGER: A relief pitcher, like Mariano Rivera, coming in every once in a while, making lots of money; or a fighter pilot, like Tom Cruise in Top Gun.

RODGERS: Situational relief pitcher. You work maybe an inning, throw 20 pitches, get paid a lot of money.

PALMER: Golfer. You can play forever. Walking down the fairway with somebody carrying my bag and a guy doing the scoreboard, I just feel like Tiger Woods.

RYAN: I'm going to go with [Lakers forward] Luke Walton's job. Play eight minutes a game, win an NBA ring. He's got it going on.

ROMO: I'd say coach if you didn't have to do it 24 hours a day. Those guys are ridiculous with the time and effort they put in. It would be fun to call plays, be a part of that. But I kind of like the job I have.

PALMER: We'd be stupid not to.

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