Following the 1974 season, Rams owner Carroll Rosenbloom signed
Ron Jessie, whose contract with the Detroit Lions had expired. NFL Commissioner
Pete Rozelle ruled that Bryant must go to the Lions as compensation. At Rosenbloom's behest, Bryant took the NFL to federal court. When the judge expressed his disbelief that "this type of servitude still existed", Rozelle backed down. Players were allowed to act on their own behalf as free agents from then on.