Mike Martz was expecting warmth, fellowship and a relaxing time compared to the grind of the season. Maybe a few congratulatory handshakes or even a slap on the back.
After all, he had helped guide the Rams from nowhere to the Super Bowl XXXIV championship as offensive coordinator of the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Now, following Dick Vermeil’s abrupt retirement, he was attending his first NFL owners meetings as Rams head coach in March 2000.
Well, the reception didn’t quite go that way. The NFL’s competition committee couldn’t take back the Lombardi Trophy, or the Rams’ 16 victories, and 76 touchdowns from that season.